Nat King Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles, known as Nat King Cole (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), was an American jazz pianist, singer, and actor. His career spanned nearly three decades, starting in the late 1930s. Initially a jazz pianist, he formed The King Cole Trio, achieving great success in the 1940s. Transitioning to a solo singer in 1950, he faced racial discrimination despite mainstream success. Cole, a member of the NAACP, participated in civil rights activities and hosted the groundbreaking NBC series "The Nat King Cole Show" from 1956 to 1957, the first nationally broadcast TV show hosted by an African American.