Nat King Cole

Discover the life of Nat King Cole (1919–1965) — the American jazz pianist, singer, and television pioneer. Explore his early years, rise to stardom, struggles with racism, legacy, and his most famous quotes.

Introduction

Nat King Cole, born Nathaniel Adams Coles on March 17, 1919, remains one of the most beloved figures in American music history. With a velvety baritone voice, effortless piano technique, and elegant stage presence, he bridged jazz, pop, and mainstream appeal in a way few artists ever have. Over a career spanning from the 1930s to his death in 1965, Cole broke racial barriers, hosted one of the first national television shows by an African American, and left behind a catalog of standards still cherished today.

Early Life and Family

Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17, 1919. He was one of several siblings (including brothers Eddie, Ike, and Freddy) and a half-sister, Joyce. When he was young, his family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where his father, Edward Coles, became a Baptist minister, and his mother, Perlina (Adams) Coles, was the church organist. Cole’s first musical exposure came in the church—he sang and learned basic piano from his mother. At age four he performed “Yes! We Have No Bananas” as a novelty act. By age 12, he was studying both classical and jazz piano forms, absorbing influences from gospel, classical composers like Bach, and jazz greats.

His family lived in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, a hub of African American culture and jazz life in the 1920s–30s, which exposed him to jazz clubs and musical vibrancy.

Youth, Training, and Entry into Music

Cole attended Wendell Phillips Academy High School in Chicago, though his professional music career took precedence over formal schooling. In the mid-1930s, while still in his teens, he and his brother Eddie formed a group, and Cole began performing locally. By 1937, he had formed the King Cole Trio (piano, guitar, bass) — a configuration that would become his signature early ensemble. Initially, the trio focused on instrumentals, but gradually Cole began singing on occasion when audiences responded to his voice.

Career and Achievements

Rise with the King Cole Trio & Early Success

In the 1940s, the trio recorded hits like “Sweet Lorraine” (1940), which became a breakout performance for Cole as a singer. The trio’s blend of light swing, subtle jazz, and popular appeal made them a favorite on both jazz and mainstream stages. Cole signed with Capitol Records, where he became one of the label’s most successful artists, particularly as he expanded his vocal repertoire. Over his career, Cole recorded more than 100 songs that charted on the Billboard charts across jazz, pop, and R&B. His smooth voice, tasteful delivery, and emotional warmth allowed him to cross over to new audiences beyond traditional jazz listeners.

Solo Stardom, Television, and Film

By the 1950s, Cole was established as a solo vocalist as much as a jazz pianist. His romantic ballads such as “Mona Lisa,” “Unforgettable,” and “L-O-V-E” became enduring standards. In 1956, he made history by hosting The Nat King Cole Show, a national television variety show on NBC — one of the first by an African American to reach a wide national audience. Despite its artistic quality, the show struggled with securing national sponsorship due to racial prejudice, and it lasted only one season. Cole also appeared in films, occasional TV roles, and live concert tours domestically and internationally.

Battles with Racism & Later Years

Cole frequently confronted racial discrimination despite his fame.
In 1948, after purchasing a home in an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood, members of the community protested; a cross was burned on his lawn and his dog was poisoned. He also faced segregation while touring; for instance, he was denied lodging or restaurant service in some cities, and sometimes to perform only for white audiences in segregated venues. An often-cited incident: in 1956 in Birmingham, Alabama, while performing a concert reserved for white audiences, he was attacked onstage by members of the Ku Klux Klan and knocked from his stool. He later returned and completed a show for a black-only audience. Cole used his platform to subtly advocate for civil rights; he joined the NAACP, refused to perform before segregated audiences, and occasionally commented on race and integration in his interviews.

In his later years, Cole’s health declined. In late 1964 he experienced back pain and weight loss; medical examination revealed lung cancer (he was a long-time heavy smoker). Despite his illness, he continued performing and recording until shortly before his death. His final sessions were in December 1964 with the album L-O-V-E.

On February 15, 1965, Nat King Cole passed away at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 45. His funeral, held on February 18 at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, drew thousands, with tributes from peers, politicians, and fans.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Cole’s transition from jazz trio pianist to mainstream pop vocalist mirrored mid-20th-century shifts in American music, as jazz blended with popular song.

• His success with Capitol Records during the 1940s–50s made him one of the most commercially successful Black artists in an era of segregation and limited opportunities.

• His television show was groundbreaking, though undercut by racial prejudice from advertisers — a vivid example of how institutional racism impeded progress despite artistic merit.

• His public confrontation of racism and everyday discrimination made him a visible figure in the broader struggle for civil rights, even as he focused primarily on his music.

• His death in 1965 occurred amid the crescendo of the civil rights movement; his passing was mourned across communities, and his music continued to resonate in the decades that followed.

Legacy and Influence

Nat King Cole’s influence endures in multiple dimensions:

• Musical standard-bearer: His interpretations of songs like “Unforgettable,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Nature Boy” remain benchmarks for vocalists.

• Crossover pioneer: He helped open doors for Black artists in mainstream pop, television, and media.

• Civil rights symbol: Though not as publicly militant as some contemporaries, his stature and actions challenged segregation and racial norms.

• Family legacy: His daughter Natalie Cole, also an accomplished singer, sustained his musical lineage.

• Posthumous honors: He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1990), and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame, among others.

• Enduring popularity: His recordings continue to sell; “The Christmas Song” remains a holiday standard, and his catalog is regularly reissued.

Personality, Style & Craft

Cole was known for his elegance, warmth, and grace both on and offstage. His musical style combined subtlety, clarity, and emotional intimacy rather than overt showmanship.
As a pianist, he favored clean, lyrical lines rather than bombast, supporting his vocal approach rather than overshadowing it.
He was described as reserved, dignified, and professional — often letting his voice and music communicate more than public statements. His life showed that one could be both artistically ambitious and quietly principled.

Famous Quotes of Nat King Cole

Here are some of his notable sayings, many captured in interviews or anthologies:

• “I … started out to become a jazz pianist; in the meantime I started singing, and I sang the way I felt and that’s just the way it came out.”

• “The whites come to applaud a Negro performer just like the colored do. When you’ve got the respect of white and colored, you can ease a lot of things.”

• “You've got to change with the public's taste.”

• “The television screen must reflect all of America’s beauty and talent, regardless of color, to truly represent the spirit of our country.”

• “The people who know nothing about music are the ones always talking about it.”

• “The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” — from his rendition of Nature Boy

These quotes reveal his humility, awareness of social context, adaptability, and belief in the power of music and love.

Lessons from Nat King Cole

From his life and work, we can draw several enduring lessons:

1. Art can transcend barriers
   Cole’s music reached across racial lines, showing that emotional truth can break through prejudice.

2. Adapt without losing core identity
   He evolved from instrumental jazz to mainstream vocal pop while maintaining musical integrity.

3. Quiet dignity is potent
   He didn’t always speak loudly, but his posture, choices, and respect commanded space.

4. Pursue opportunity despite obstacles
   Even when sponsors withdrew or venues segregated, he continued to record, perform, and press on.

5. Legacy is built over many years
   His greatest impact came not in a single hit but in sustained excellence, respect, and influence.

Conclusion

Nat King Cole remains an icon whose voice, elegance, and moral example continue to resonate. As a pianist, vocalist, and pioneer of television, he broke molds and uplifted standards of musical taste and social possibility. Though his life was cut short, his influence remains timeless. His music, and the hope he carried in his art, endures — unforgettable, always.