Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles, known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. He was widely noted for his soft, baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres, becoming a major force in popular music for three decades. Cole was one of the first African Americans to host a national television variety show, The Nat King Cole Show, and has maintained worldwide popularity since his...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionJazz Singer
Date of Birth17 March 1919
CityMontgomery, AL
CountryUnited States of America
The only sport I'm not interested in is horse racing. That's because I don't know the horses personally.
Critics don't buy records. They get 'em free.
Get me well so I can get on television and tell people to stop smoking.
The whites come to applaud a Negro performer just like the colored do. When you've got the respect of white and colored, you can ease a lot of things.
There's just one thing I can't figure out. My income tax!
It's not the people in the South who create racial problems - it's the people who are governing.
Smile and maybe tomorrow you'll see that life is still worth while if you just smile
When I first organized the King Cole Trio back in 1937, we were strictly what you would call an instrumental group. To break the monotony, I would sing a few songs here and there between the playing. I sang things I had known over the years. I wasn't trying to give it any special treatment, just singing. I noticed thereafter people started requesting more singing, and it was just one of those things.
I got the message. All of us get the message, sooner or later. If you get it before it's too late or before you're too old, you'll pull through all right.
I may be helping to bring harmony between people through my music.
I'm in the music business for one purpose - to make money.
I often wonder whether Negroes like myself who are pretty well known help out at all in breaking down barriers.
Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.
Although it's been said many times, many ways...Merry Christmas to you!