Nat King Cole: The Velvet Voice of Jazz and Pop

Nat King Cole was an American singer and pianist who became one of the most iconic and best-selling musical artists of the mid-20th century. His smooth baritone voice and sophisticated piano style bridged the worlds of jazz, traditional pop, and rhythm and blues, leaving an indelible mark on music history.

Early career

Born Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama in 1919, he began his career firmly as a jazz pianist. In the late 1930s, he formed the King Cole Trio, a groundbreaking group featuring piano, guitar, and bass that emphasized sophisticated instrumental interplay. The trio signed with Capitol Records in 1943, where Cole would remain for the rest of his career, and their early hits like Straighten Up and Fly Right (1943) showcased his nimble playing and warm, nascent vocal charm.

Breakthrough

Cole's transition from respected jazz pianist to a premier vocal superstar began in the late 1940s. The 1946 recording of (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons became a massive hit, signaling his popular appeal. His definitive breakthrough as a vocalist came with 1948's Nature Boy, a haunting and mystical song that topped the Billboard charts and cemented his status as a unique recording artist. From this point, his recordings increasingly featured lush orchestral arrangements that framed his voice.

Key tracks

Mona Lisa - This 1950 single spent eight weeks at number one on the Billboard chart and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, becoming one of his signature recordings.

Unforgettable - Released in 1951, this ballad epitomized Cole's elegant vocal delivery and became so iconic that a 1991 duet version with his daughter Natalie Cole won multiple Grammy Awards.

Too Young - Another 1951 chart-topper, this song demonstrated his ability to connect with a younger audience and remain commercially relevant across changing musical trends.

L-O-V-E - Recorded in 1964, this upbeat, swinging tune from his final album proved his vocal style and phrasing remained impeccable and modern until the end of his career.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - His 1946 recording is arguably the definitive version of this holiday standard, played endlessly every season and contributing significantly to his enduring legacy.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Nat King Cole dominated the charts with a string of pop standards including Ramblin' Rose, Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer, and Smile. He also broke significant ground as the host of his own nationally televised variety show, The Nat King Cole Show, from 1956 to 1957, becoming one of the first African American performers to headline such a program. His music, spanning from jazz trio to orchestral pop, influenced countless singers who followed.

Fans of Nat King Cole's timeless vocal style and sophisticated arrangements may also enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra, who shared his mastery of phrasing and interpretation within the traditional pop genre. The smooth jazz and pop sensibilities of Dean Martin also offer a similar relaxed vocal charm. For the earlier jazz-inflected work of Cole's trio, listen to Oscar Peterson, another virtuoso pianist who led a celebrated trio. The elegant vocal jazz of Ella Fitzgerald, particularly her songbook series, provides a complementary genius in interpretation.

His recordings are staples on classic pop radio stations, vocal jazz channels, and easy listening formats, where his voice continues to define an era of musical elegance.

The music of Nat King Cole, from jazz trio standards to orchestral pop classics, can be heard on the radio stations featured here, offering listeners a direct connection to his enduring artistic legacy.