Nathaniel Cole was born in Birmingham 1919 and grew up in Chicago–his father was a travelling preacher. Nat was surrounded by the great Chicago musicians of late 1920s. His innovative piano playing has often been overshadowed by his popularity as a singer/entertainer. He should also be remembered as a pianist whose playing style in the late 1930’s helped to usher in the modern bebop style of the 1940s.
Nat Cole - Episode 1
On this podcast you will hear his main musical influences and early recordings made in Los Angeles with his brother Eddie and in 1938 with his 1st trio.
| Composition | Artist | Year |
| Sweet Lorraine | Nat Cole | 1940 |
| Piano Man | Earl Hines | 1939 |
| A Monday Date | Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra | 1928 |
| Rosetta | Teddy Wilson | 1934 |
| Stompin' At the Panama | Nat Cole/Eddie Cole Swingsters | 1936 |
| Honey Hush | Nat Cole/Eddie Cole Swingsters | 1936 |
| Don't Blame Me | Nat Cole Trio | 1938 |
| With Plenty of Money and You | Nat Cole Trio | 1938 |
Nat Cole - Episode 2
| Composition | Artist | Year |
| Caravan | Nat Cole Trio | 1938 |
| The Blue Danube | Nat Cole Trio | 1938 |
| Lullaby in Rhythm | Nat Cole Trio | 1938 |
| Rosetta | Nat Cole Trio | 1939 |
| Sweet Lorraine | Nat Cole Trio (Decca Records) | 1940 |
| Honeysuckle Rose | Nat Cole Trio | 1940 |
| Black Spider Stomp | Nat Cole Trio (w/Lee Young drums) | 1940 |
Nat Cole - Episode 3
Many recordings from this period were recorded on the newly formed Capitol Record label. The popularity of the Nat King Cole Trio helped to solidify Capitol into a major company. After the release of his famous recording of “Sweet Lorraine” he became well known as a singer, but did not abandon his jazz piano roots. These recordings from 1941 to 1944 represent some of his best performances, often with outstanding guest artists.
| Composition | Artist | Year |
| Straighten up and Fly Right | Nat Cole Trio | 1943 |
| Early Morning Blues | Nat Cole Trio | 1941 |
| Jack the Bellboy | Nat Cole Trio w/Lionel Hampton drums | 1942 |
| I Can't Get Started | Nat King Cole w/Lester Young | 1942 |
| Jumpin' at Capitol | Nat King Cole Trio | 1943 |
| Tea for Two | Nat Cole/Jazz at the Philharmonic | 1944 |
Nat Cole - Episode 4
The famous Nat King Cole Trio with guitarist Oscar Moore broke up in 1947. Nat’s emerging fame as a singer/entertainer began to overshadow the work of the Trio and had much to do with it dissolution. The recordings from this podcast chronicle the last great instrumental recordings of the trio and show the great depth of the group. In 1947 he released his 1st album in the new LP format, Nat Cole with Rhythm.
| Composition | Artist | Year |
| Bop-Kick | Nat King Cole Trio (w/bongos) | 1949 |
| Prelude in C-Sharp | Nat Cole Trio | 1944 |
| Sweet Georgia Brown | Nat Cole Trio | 1945 |
| I Want to Be Happy | Nat Cole Trio | 1946 |
| Lament In Chords | Nat Cole Trio | 1947 |
| Cole Capers | Nat Cole Trio | 1947 |