Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole, a figure whose smooth baritone became the soundtrack of a generation, carved a path in the music world that reflected both the vibrancy and the challenges of mid-20th century America. Born Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 17, 1919, he became a luminary whose legacy transcends the boundaries of jazz, pop, and racial barriers. The Cole family's relocation to Chicago when Nat was four years old marked the beginning of an odyssey intertwined with the rich musical tapestry of the city's burgeoning jazz scene. His mother, a choir director, and his father, a Baptist minister, imbued in him an early love for music. At just four, Nat was playing the organ, and by twelve, he had consumed the works of classical composers such as J.S. Bach, Rachmaninoff, and was leaning towards the jazz titans of the era. While still in his teens, Cole left school to pursue music full-time, joining his eldest brother Eddie in bands that played deep into the Chicago night. The Cole brothers were not just skilled musicians; they were also noted for their ambition. This ambition took Nat King Cole to Los Angeles, a city that played a crucial role in shaping his career and style. There, Cole formed the Nat King Cole Trio in 1937, a groundbreaking ensemble that initially struggled but eventually won fame with their innovative sound—a blend of jazz, swing, and pop that would become known as the "King Cole Trio sound." The trio's 1943 recording of "Straighten Up and Fly Right," inspired by a sermon Cole's father delivered, became a hit that sold over 500,000 copies. This marked the beginning of Cole's ascent into the pantheon of America’s most enduring artists. Over the next years, he would charm listeners with his deep, velvety voice on tracks such as "Sweet Lorraine," "Nature Boy," "Mona Lisa," and perhaps his most enduring hit, "Unforgettable." Yet Cole's journey was far from a mere melody. Being a popular Black musician in a segregated America meant confronting brazen racism. Despite his fame, Cole faced discrimination from hotel managers, concert promoters, and audiences alike. In 1956, while performing in Birmingham, Alabama, Cole was assaulted on stage by members of a white supremacist group. This incident highlighted the dangers of his profession, but he remained undeterred, using his platform to fight for racial equality. Cole's influence extended beyond his music. He was a trailblazer in television history. In 1956, he broke barriers with "The Nat King Cole Show," a network television series, becoming the first African-American host of such a program. Though the show was lauded for its sophistication and for featuring an array of top-tier musical guests, it struggled to secure national sponsors due in large part to racial prejudices. After a single year, the show was canceled. Nonetheless, Cole's graceful manner and poise set a precedent for future African-American entertainers on television. Despite the frustrations of broadcast television and the incessant challenges of racism, Cole's recording career flourished throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. He extended his artistry into film with noteworthy appearances in movies like "St. Louis Blues" and "Cat Ballou." His influence also reached international audiences, where, in a blending of cultures, he recorded several albums in Spanish, broadening his fanbase and etching his sound into the global ether. Cole's personal life, characterized by both joy and heartache, was marked by a profound grace too. He married Maria Hawkins Ellington, a singer in Duke Ellington's orchestra, in 1948. Together they had five children, one of whom, Natalie Cole, inherited her father’s musical talent, keeping the Cole dynasty alive on the charts long after his passing. In the rich soil of his singular voice and undeterred vision, Cole cultivated a legacy that bore fruit even posthumously. His music remains a cherished part of the American musical landscape, revered for its passionate yet effortless delivery. In 1991, a re-recording of his classic "Unforgettable," featuring a posthumous duet with Natalie, brought him back to the top of the charts, a testament to the enduring charm of his artistry. On February 15, 1965, at 45 years old, Nat King Cole succumbed to lung cancer, a loss that resonated deeply within the fabric of global music. His death was premature, yet his impact was fully realized; a trailblazer who crafted a template for musicians and entertainers to come. Today, one cannot hear his music without thinking of the deeper context of his struggle and success. Cole’s indelible smile, smooth croon, and magnetic stage presence remain unforgettable, like the songs that earned his radiant global stature, keeping him 'Unforgettable' in every sense.