Cole, Nat King
(1917–1965)
Cole, Nat “King” (17 Mar 1917–15 Feb 1965) American jazz pianist and—perhaps in spite of himself—popular singer, born Nathaniel Adams Cole in Montgomery, Alabama. A nightclub pianist in the 1930s, he began to sing in response to audience requests. His King Cole Trio (1939–1951) brought him recognition as both pianist and vocalist. Sweet Lorraine (Decca #8520; 1940), was an early favorite, and his first as a vocalist. “Nature Boy,” recorded for Capitol in 1948—as a singer only, with an…