The inimitable American jazz pianist and singer, Nat King Cole, was born March 17, 1919, in Birmingham, Alabama. He spent most of his childhood in Chicago where he became a successful club performer in his early teens. Like many promising performers, Cole relocated to Los Angeles and its booming film and recording industry. His newly formed King Cole Trio met with continued success in clubs throughout southern California. Savannah's favorite son, the singer-songwriter, Johnny Mercer, is credited with recognizing Cole's talent and potential in the entertainment industry. In 1943 Mercer signed Cole to record for Capitol Records a recording company founded by Mercer, Buddy DeSylva, and Glenn Wallichs the previous year. Over a five month period beginning in July 1943 Mercer produced five Nat King Cole Trio recordings. They were superb examples of jazz and popular music fusion that appealed to a broad American market. The recordings sold in the millions, placed Cole in the national spotlight, and ensured huge success for Capitol Records. The songs were: Tea For Two, Body and Soul, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Sweet Lorraine, and Embraceable You. All of them were embedded in American music history and remain popular today. Here is a sample of that history in sound from the trio before 1955:
Cole developed a close friendship with Mercer as well as a business relationship with Capitol Records that lasted for the rest of his life. What a pleasure it is to watch these two extraordinary artists enjoying themselves in a fun performance on Cole's NBC television show from the 1950s:
Cole's success brought wealth to Capitol Records, made him an international star, enriched American popular music music, and shaped the careers of scores of singers for decades. His death at 45 left a world shocked and saddened but the recording have kept his talent very much alive almost sixty years after his passing.
Sources
Photos and Illustration:
Cole at the piano, June 1947, William Gottleib Photo Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Text:
Glenn T. Eskew, Johnny Mercer: Southern Songwriter for the World, Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 2013.
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