| ="bottom-link"> | | | | Natalie, was also a vocalist and musician. |
| Nat King Cole was a talented musician who | | | | In 1956, the Nat King Cole show was launched |
| lived in the mid-1900’s. He was well known for | | | | on television. It was popular with many and had |
| his voice and piano playing abilities. Nat King Cole | | | | impressive guests such as Mel Torme and Ella |
| was born on March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama. | | | | Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, even with its large audience, it |
| He was a popular musician from the 1940’s to | | | | ended after only a year due to the lack of advertisers |
| the 1960’s. His unique honeyed voice, | | | | willing to stand behind a black celebrity. He is quoted as |
| showmanship and piano playing ability made him well | | | | saying Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark. |
| loved by fans globally. | | | | His voice was probably his hottest commodity. It has |
| This talented pianist was the son of a Baptist preacher | | | | been compared to velvet and is said to be |
| named Edward James Coles. He changed his last | | | | simultaneously soothing and alluring. His piano playing |
| name from Coles to Cole as his stage name. His | | | | talents are renowned, as well. He formed and led the |
| mother’s name was Perlina Adams. She | | | | King Cole Trio with a bassist and guitarist, who were |
| directed the church choir and sang soprano. | | | | known for their flair with swing music. The guitarist |
| Although he was born in the south, his family eventually | | | | was Oscar Moore and the original bassist was |
| moved to Chicago where he was raised. His musical | | | | Wesley Prince. Prince eventually left the trio and was |
| talent started to become evident as early as age four. | | | | replaced by Johnny Miller. |
| He began to play the organ for the church at age | | | | The man’s records sold like wildfire. He |
| eleven and organized and led a band during high | | | | recorded voice, piano in solos, trios and backed by |
| school. He sang and played piano for his high | | | | orchestras. Even though some of his jazz fans were |
| school’s 14 piece band. | | | | unhappy about it, he eventually focused on singing and |
| Nat had one marriage to a woman named Nadine that | | | | left his piano work on the sidelines. His records were |
| ended in divorce. He then met the love of his life, Maria | | | | consistently high sellers. |
| Ellington, in 1947 and married her within a year. She | | | | Cole was a kind man as well as a talented one. |
| was also a singer and they met while performing at | | | | Unfortunately, he died young and left many |
| the same club in New York. Nat and Maria had a | | | | heartbroken friends, family and fans. At the age of |
| happy marriage and five children. Musical talent was | | | | forty-five, Nat King Cole died of lung cancer. |
| inherited by his offspring, as well. One of his daughters, | | | | The date was February 15, 1965. |