Nat “King” Cole would be 100 years old, almost 101, if he hadn’t died so young–at 45, from lung cancer.
For me, Nat represents the epitome of sophisticated phrasing. He sounds like a perfectly tailored suit – not a single stitch out of place.
Nat is among the artists that I don’t listen to enough for 11 months of the year – I listen to him most often at Christmastime, when his Christmas album and especially his iconic recording of “The Christmas Song” are a constant presence in my listening.
It’s my resolution, though, to give more time to Nat the rest of the year. His subtlety can bely his enormous gifts, but close listening to Nat “King” Cole is always rewarding.