Data Source

National Portrait Gallery

Exhibition Label

Born Montgomery, Alabama

Nat "King" Cole first made his name in pop music primarily as a pianist with the King Cole jazz trio that he formed in 1939, and some experts think that his most significant contribution to music was a keyboard technique that influenced a number of other noted musicians. But by 1950, the public at large was coming to know Cole as the crooner whose relaxed manner went hand-in-glove with his caressing voice. As hits such as "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable" followed one another, he became one of America’s favorite entertainers, and in the fall of 1956 he became the first African American to host a network television show. Cole was sometimes faulted for not being more outspoken in the civil rights cause, but his broad popular appeal was in itself a contribution to the struggle against racism.

Artist

Fred Baker

Sitter

Nat "King" Cole, 17 Mar 1919 - 25 Feb 1965

Date

1961

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 34.6 x 26.7 cm (13 5/8 x 10 1/2")

Sheet: 35.5 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11")

Type

Photograph

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Object number

NPG.2012.28

Topic

Music\Musical instrument\Piano

Interior\Studio

Nat "King" Cole: Male

Nat "King" Cole: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Songwriter

Nat "King" Cole: Performing Arts\Performer\Actor\Movie

Nat "King" Cole: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer\Popular

Nat "King" Cole: Performing Arts\Performer\Television Personality

Nat "King" Cole: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Pianist

Nat "King" Cole: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer\Jazz

Portrait