Nat King Cole summary

Nat King Cole, orig. Nathaniel Adams Coles, (born March 17, 1919, Montgomery, Ala., U.S.—died Feb. 15, 1965, Santa Monica, Calif.), U.S. jazz pianist and singer. Cole grew up in Chicago and formed a trio in Los Angeles (1939), establishing himself as a major jazz piano stylist. Commercial success, however, came with his singing. His warm, relaxed voice brought a personal touch to the ballads and light swing in which he specialized. “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable” were among his major hits of the 1950s. He excelled as a stage personality, and he was also a capable film actor.