Nat King Cole

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James Haskins’ and Kathleen Benson’s Nat King Cole is an adult version—not the X-rated kind—of the biography of the pioneering singer and jazz pianist from the mid-20^th century.  It’s not a juicy tell-all.  Instead, it’s presented as facts and figures—like a textbook. 

Although they don’t shy away from scandal and controversy, the authors don’t dwell on them either. As a result, their work is balanced, emphasizing Cole’s contribution to American music and the burdens his career placed on him and his family. 

Throughout the book, the authors describe his struggles to be successful despite the menace of racial bigotry. Incidents were scattered throughout his life—highlighted by the resistance to the Coles’ purchase of a home in a white neighborhood in Los Angeles and the on-stage attack by white supremacists in Birmingham, Alabama.

However, commercialism and profit often trumped those race issues.  Many club owners and a record company or two dropped their intolerance once they realized Cole represented a decent revenue source.  And Cole himself was sometimes accused of soft-pedaling his protestations against obvious discrimination to avoid offending the white audiences he needed.

This version of Cole’s life is not a page-turner.  But it is an objective and apparently factual account that might make you appreciate Nat King Cole beyond his music.

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Quotes

…if he were to continue to be successful, he would have to become more commercial and aim his music at a larger audience.  What did he mean by commercial?  He once put it very succinctly—”More singing, less playing.”  He was also glib at times in responding to critics of his trend toward greater commercialism.  “Critics don’t buy records, they get ‘em free.”

Nat sincerely believed in the inherent good and kindness of man, that good will eventually triumph over evil, and in the Christian ethic of turning the other cheek.

Militant as she was and angry as she got with him, Geri Branton still has awe in her voice when she speaks of his character: “He was one of my favorite human beings of all time.  I was fortunate to know him.  He was the most unhating person I’ve ever known.  He’d say, ‘Geri, never allow yourself to hate a human being.  Hate the system for what it’s done to that person.’”

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