Known early on as a master jazz pianist, Cole remade himself as one of the premier romantic crooners of his time. On this 1954 compilation we hear his rich baritone with orchestral backing that, despite its lushness, still manages to convey intimacy—Cole practically sings into your ear. The album leans heavily on Cole’s early ’50s work with arranger and conductor Nelson Riddle, most famously “Mona Lisa” and the title track, two definitive ballads of the era. The most offbeat twist is Riddle’s 1954 treatment of the Dimitri Tiomkin movie theme “Hajji Baba,” which Cole makes his own, d… read more
Known early on as a master jazz pianist, Cole remade himself as one of the premier romantic crooners of his time. On this 1954 compilation we hear hi… read more
Known early on as a master jazz pianist, Cole remade himself as one of the premier romantic crooners of his time. On this 1954 compilation we hear his rich baritone with orchestral backi… read more
Nat "King" Cole (March 17th 1919–February 15th 1965) was a popular American singer and jazz musician. As a piano player, he formed a jazz trio in 1938 that played Los Angeles nightclubs, one of the first jazz trios featuring guitar and piano. Prior to this he had played music since he was a child and had worked with bands since he was sixteen. He was raised in Chicago and exposed to the abundant jazz scene there. He was heavily influenced by pianist Earl "Fatha" Hines. Later he became more popularly known as a singer and crooner and his work became more orchest… read more
Nat "King" Cole (March 17th 1919–February 15th 1965) was a popular American singer and jazz musician. As a piano player, he formed a jazz trio in 1938 that played Los Angeles ni… read more
Nat "King" Cole (March 17th 1919–February 15th 1965) was a popular American singer and jazz musician. As a piano player, he formed a jazz trio in 1938 that played Los Angeles nightclubs, one of the first jazz trios featurin… read more