In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Nat King Cole

Born: 1917. Died: 1965. Lived in: United States

American musician hailed as one of the best and most influential pianists and small-group leaders of the swing era. Cole attained his greatest commercial success, however, as a vocalist specializing in warm ballads and light swing.

Cole grew up in Chicago where, by age 12, he sang and played organ in the church where his father was pastor. He formed his first jazz group, the Royal Dukes, five years later. In 1937, after touring with a black musical revue, he began playing in jazz clubs in Los Angeles. There he formed the King Cole Trio (originally King Cole and His Swingsters), with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince (later replaced by Johnny Miller). The trio specialized in swing music with a delicate touch in that they did not employ a drummer; also unique were the voicings of piano and guitar, often juxtaposed to sound like a single instrument. An influence on jazz pianists such as Oscar Peterson, Cole was known for a compact, syncopated piano style with clean, spare, melodic phrases.

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.

Nat King Cole : Big Band Male Standards - Volume 4

Ten swingin' big band standards are included in this collection with a CD featuring two tracks for each song - one demo track and one play-along track so you can be the soloist.

Songlist: Makin' Woopee, Somewhere Along The Way, Too Young, Pretend, Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup, Route 66, Walkin' My Baby Back Home, A Blossom Fell, Mona Lisa, Christmas Song (Chestnus Roasting)

Nat King Cole : Songs In the Style of

Whether you're a karaoke singer or preparing for an audition, the Pro Vocal series is for you. The book contains the lyrics, melody, and chord symbols for nine hit songs. The CD contains demos for listening and separate backing tracks so you can sing along. The CD is playable on any CD, but it is also enhanced for PC and Mac computer users so you can adjust the recording to any pitch without changing the tempo! Perfect for home rehearsal, parties, auditions, corporate events, and gigs without a backup band.

Songlist: Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You, I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five and Ten Cent Store), It's Only A Paper Moon, Makin' Whoopee, Route 66, There Is No Greater Love, Unforgettable, The Very Thought Of You

Nat King Cole : Music of the Stars

21 American classics recorded by the legendary Nat King Cole, including: Ballerina - Crazy She Calls Me - Don't Get Around Much Anymore - It's All in the Game - Sentimental Journey - There Goes My Heart - Too Young - You Go to My Head - and more.

Songlist: Two Different Worlds, 'Tis Autumn, All By Myself, Blue Gardenia, Destination Moon, Around The World, Avalon, Crazy She Calls Me, There Will Never Be Another You, Ballerina, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, For All We Know, It All Depends On You, It's All In The Game, Sentimental Journey, Teach Me Tonight, There Goes My Heart, Too Young, You Go To My Head, The Late Late Show, My Sugar Is So Refined

Individual Folios

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Kirby Shaw : The Unforgettable Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole received 28 Gold record awards during his amazing career as a singer, band leader, movie star and TV host. Among his hits are Ramblin' Rose, Too Young, Mona Lisa and of course, Unforgettable. Kirby Shaw brings his creative style to this group of American standard songs. This is a musical heritage worthy of discovery.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw Performed By: Nat King Cole

Larry Triplett : L-O-V-E

Arranger: Larry Triplett | Composer: Bert Kaempfert Performed By: Nat King Cole

Ed Lojeski : Mona Lisa

Nat King Cole's recording of this Academy Award-winning song topped the charts for eight weeks in 1950 and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. This expressive choral setting, now also including a TTBB voicing, will allow every choir to sound their best. A gem! Available separately: SATB, SAB, SSA, TTBB, ShowTrax CD. Duration: ca. 3:00.

Arranger: Ed Lojeski | Composers: Ray Evans and Jay Livingston Performed By: Nat King Cole

Paris Rutherford : Nature Boy

First recorded by Nat King Cole and since covered by countless pop and jazz singers and ensembles and used in multiple movies, here is a really cool arrangement in an easy Bossa groove. With a beautiful section for scat singing, well supported by the ensemble, and multiple soloists featured, this chart works for medium to advanced vocal jazz ensembles.

Arranger: Paris Rutherford | Composer: Eden Ahbez Performed By: Nat King Cole

Greg Gilpin : The Beginning Of Love

"The Frim-Fram Sauce" is a jazz song, made famous by The Nat King Cole Trio and performed by a variety of musicians over the years. "The Frim-Fram Sauce" was written in 1945. The lyrics were written by Redd Evans, who wrote words to a number of Cole songs.

Arranger: Greg Gilpin Performed By: Nat King Cole

Ed Lojeski : The Christmas Song

From its lush bell-tone opening to the lyrical harmonic treatment of the chorus, there's no doubt this a cappella setting of "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" is a rare treat!

Arranger: Ed Lojeski Performed By: Nat King Cole

Audrey Snyder : The Christmas Song

Women's ensembles from high school and up will find lots of use for this Christmas standard with its images of a warm and loving season. A magical moment for your holiday performances! Duration: ca. 2:15.

Arranger: Audrey Snyder | Composer: Robert Wells Performed By: Nat King Cole

Mark Hayes : The Christmas Song

A classic by Mel Torme and a signature song for Nat King Cole, this is simply one of the most famous and favorite Christmas songs of all time! The lush orchestration wraps every gorgeous voicing in a beautiful musical package to be opened at your next holiday or Christmas concert.

Arranger: Mark Hayes Performed By: Nat King Cole

Paris Rutherford : The Christmas Song

The beloved holiday classic in a fresh a cappella setting is perfect for vocal jazz, pop and concert groups looking for that special ballad! The lyrics are primary in this setting, with each section taking the lead and unexpected harmonic surprises to bring a smile to the listener, especially when performed perfectly in tune!

Arranger: Paris Rutherford Performed By: Nat King Cole

Kirby Shaw : The Christmas Song

Images of a warm and loving holiday are sure to spring to mind with this harmonic setting. A poignant, expressive moment for your concert performance. Available: SATB, SAB, SSA.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw Performed By: Nat King Cole

Greg Gilpin : The Frim Fram Sauce

Arranger: Greg Gilpin Performed By: Nat King Cole

Kirby Shaw : The Unforgettable Nat King Cole

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Various Performed By: Nat King Cole

Kirby Shaw : The Unforgettable Nat King Cole (Medley)

Arranger: Kirby Shaw Performed By: Nat King Cole

Mac Huff : Unforgettable

One of the top standards of all time! This rich setting will showcase concert, community and pop choirs with dreamy rubato phrasing, warm harmonies and the full range of emotional expressivity.

Arranger: Mac Huff | Composer: Irving Gordon Performed By: Nat King Cole

Kirby Shaw : Walkin' My Baby Back Home

Written in 1930 and famously recorded by Nat King Cole in 1951, this hit regained popularity when Natalie Cole recorded a "virtual duet" with her father. Laid-back and fun to sing, it became the title song for the 1953 movie of the same name.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Roy Turk Performed By: Nat King Cole

Kirby Shaw : You're Looking At Me

Famously recorded by Nat King Cole, Cleo Laine, Diana Krall and more, this heartfelt ballad will showcase the skill and technique of your vocal jazz ensemble at their best! Set in a laid-back 4, you will love refining the tasty harmonies and sensitive rhythmic nuance of this fabulous chart!

Arranger: Kirby Shaw Performed By: Nat King Cole