# Nat King Cole

> American singer and jazz pianist (1919–1965)

**Wikidata**: [Q137042](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137042)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_King_Cole)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nat-king-cole

## Summary
Nat King Cole was an American singer, jazz pianist, and influential musician (1919–1965) renowned for his smooth vocal style and pioneering contributions to jazz and popular music. He helped shape the sound of mid-20th-century American music, blending jazz, pop, and R&B, and became one of the first African American artists to achieve mainstream crossover success.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 17, 1919
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Defining mid-century jazz and pop music as a singer and pianist; landmark recordings and crossover success
- **Employer(s)**: Capitol Records, Decca
- **Field(s)**: Jazz, pop, R&B, music performance

## Contributions
Nat King Cole made significant contributions to music through his recordings, performances, and influence on multiple genres. His work with Capitol Records and Decca helped establish him as a leading figure in jazz and popular music. Key contributions include:
- **Recordings**: Released numerous influential albums and singles that blended jazz, pop, and R&B, achieving widespread acclaim and commercial success.
- **Crossover Success**: Became one of the first African American artists to gain mainstream popularity, breaking racial barriers in the music industry.
- **Musical Style**: Pioneered a smooth, sophisticated vocal and piano style that influenced generations of musicians.
- **Collaborations**: Worked with major record labels such as Capitol Records and Decca, contributing to their catalogs and shaping their musical direction.
- **Legacy**: His recordings continue to be celebrated for their artistic merit and cultural impact, influencing artists across jazz, pop, and R&B.

## FAQs
**Who was Nat King Cole?**
Nat King Cole was an American singer and jazz pianist known for his smooth vocal style and pioneering contributions to jazz and popular music. He achieved mainstream crossover success and became one of the most influential musicians of the mid-20th century.

**What genres did Nat King Cole perform in?**
Nat King Cole performed in jazz, pop, and R&B, blending these genres to create a distinctive and influential sound. His music transcended traditional genre boundaries, appealing to a broad audience.

**Which record labels was Nat King Cole associated with?**
Nat King Cole was associated with Capitol Records and Decca, two major record labels that played a significant role in his career. These collaborations helped distribute his music globally and achieve commercial success.

**What are some of Nat King Cole's most famous recordings?**
Some of Nat King Cole's most famous recordings include his smooth vocal performances and jazz piano work, which became iconic in mid-20th-century American music. His recordings continue to be celebrated for their artistic merit and cultural impact.

**What awards and honors did Nat King Cole receive?**
Nat King Cole received several awards and honors, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. These recognitions underscore his lasting impact on the music industry.

**Who were some artists influenced by Nat King Cole?**
Nat King Cole influenced a wide range of artists, including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Gregory Porter. His pioneering work in jazz and pop music continues to inspire musicians across multiple genres.

## Why They Matter
Nat King Cole matters as a pioneering figure in jazz and popular music who helped define the sound of mid-20th-century American music. His smooth vocal style and sophisticated piano playing broke racial barriers, making him one of the first African American artists to achieve mainstream crossover success. His recordings, which blended jazz, pop, and R&B, influenced generations of musicians and continue to be celebrated for their artistic merit. Cole's work with major record labels like Capitol Records and Decca shaped the musical direction of these companies and contributed to their catalogs. His legacy is marked by his innovative approach to music and his enduring influence on artists across multiple genres.

## Notable For
- Being a pioneering jazz and pop singer and pianist
- Achieving mainstream crossover success as one of the first African American artists
- Releasing influential recordings that blended jazz, pop, and R&B
- Receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Influencing a wide range of artists, including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Gregory Porter
- Working with major record labels such as Capitol Records and Decca
- Having a substantial and widely indexed presence in music and authority databases

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Nat King Cole was born on March 17, 1919, in the United States. He began his career as a jazz pianist and singer, quickly gaining recognition for his smooth vocal style and sophisticated piano playing. His early work laid the foundation for his later success in blending jazz, pop, and R&B.

### Musical Style and Influence
Nat King Cole's musical style was characterized by his smooth vocal delivery and innovative piano playing. He pioneered a sound that blended jazz, pop, and R&B, creating a distinctive and influential musical approach. His recordings continue to be celebrated for their artistic merit and cultural impact, influencing generations of musicians.

### Record Labels and Collaborations
Nat King Cole was associated with major record labels such as Capitol Records and Decca. These collaborations helped distribute his music globally and achieve commercial success. His work with these labels contributed to their catalogs and shaped their musical direction, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the music industry.

### Awards and Honors
Nat King Cole received several awards and honors, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. These recognitions underscore his lasting impact on the music industry and his enduring influence on artists across multiple genres.

### Influence on Other Artists
Nat King Cole influenced a wide range of artists, including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Gregory Porter. His pioneering work in jazz and pop music continues to inspire musicians, shaping the sound of contemporary music. His legacy is marked by his innovative approach to music and his enduring influence on the music industry.

### Legacy and Continued Relevance
Nat King Cole's recordings continue to be celebrated for their artistic merit and cultural impact. His smooth vocal style and sophisticated piano playing broke racial barriers, making him one of the first African American artists to achieve mainstream crossover success. His work with major record labels and his influence on generations of musicians solidify his status as a pioneering figure in jazz and popular music.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
3. [TheaterEncyclopedie](https://theaterencyclopedie.nl/wiki/Nat_King_Cole)
4. BnF authorities
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
7. MusicBrainz
8. Discogs
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [Source](https://archives.nypl.org/scm/22329)
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Internet Broadway Database
14. Find a Grave
15. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
16. Proleksis Encyclopedia
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. CONOR.SI
19. BBC Things
20. ISWC Network
21. Collective Catalog of Bibliographic Authorities of Chile
22. YouTube Music. YouTube
23. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
24. Quora
25. ACE Repertory
26. Golden
27. YouTube API
28. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data