Nat “King” Cole

Jazz Singer and Pianist

• Born on March 17, 1919, in Montgomery, Alabama, Nat King Cole was an American musician who first became famous as a jazz pianist.• In 1956, Cole became the first African-American

performer to host a television series, and for many white families, he was the first black man welcomed into their living rooms each night.• He has maintained worldwide popularity since

his death in 1965.

• Cole made television history in 1956, when he became the first African-American performer to host a variety TV series. The Nat King Cole Show featured many of the leading performers of the day, including Count Basie, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett. Unfortunately, the series didn't last long, going off the air in December 1957.

L.O.V.E.

• L.O.V.E. is one of the songs that the “King” wrote before he passed away due to lung cancer (1965).• L.O.V.E. was said to be his final project before his death.

The song L.O.V.E.

• http://youtu.be/j6qp6nuAph0

Dynamics

• One thing that happens musically in the song L.O.V.E. is the dynamic level change.• The best part is, you really

don’t think about it because it has a slow build during the entire song.

Dynamic cont.

• The first hint of a dynamic change is when the key changes as well with the instrumental break/solo.• The dynamic change is a basic crescendo, it is very mezzo forte then

gradually gets louder to the end.• At the end you will hear him singing louder to help blend the jazz

instruments in the background playing fortissimo.

Resources

• http://www.biography.com/people/nat-king-cole-9253026