Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was a musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. He owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres. He was one of the first black Americans to host a television variety show, and has maintained worldwide popularity since his death.
Read more about Nat King Cole: Childhood and Chicago, Los Angeles and The King Cole Trio, Early Singing Career, Making Television History, Racism, 1950s and Beyond, Death and Posthumous Achievements, Personal Life, Legacy, Politics, Notable TV Appearances (other Than His Own Show)
Famous quotes containing the words nat, king and/or cole:
“I have swich love-longinge,
That lik a turtle trewe is my moorninge:
I may nat ete namore than a maide.””
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400)
“I don’t think Dr. King helped racial harmony, I think he helped racial justice. What I profess to do is help the oppressed and if I cause a load of discomfort in the white community and the black community, that in my opinion means I’m being effective, because I’m not trying to make them comfortable. The job of an activist is to make people tense and cause social change.”
—Al, Reverend Sharpton (b. 1954)
““Orders to shoot on sight.” I thought he said the bloke was invisible!”
—Lester Cole (1904–1985)