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REMEMBERING THE LEGENDARY NAT KING COLE
Born Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama, the singer later changed his name to King Cole. His father was the Rev. Edward James Coles Sr. His mother was Perlina Adams Coles. The couple had 13 children, but only five lived to adulthood. When Nat was about four-years-old, his family moved from Montgomery to Chicago. While living in Chicago, Nat's father became the minister of his own church.
Cole's birthday was on the 17th of March (St. Patrick's Day), but it is impossible to determine in what year he was born. He used three different dates on official documents - 1915, 1916, and 1919.
Nat learned to play the piano while still very young. His mother was his only piano teacher. However, he was so proficient at the piano that he had his first public performance while only a 4year-old.
He played regularly in his father's church from the age of 11 years. He was an accomplished pianist by the age of 12, and formed his first jazz band while in high school.
One day Nat asked if their family was poor. His mother answered "Yes, we are. To which the aspiring young singer said, "One day, my name will be up in lights and we won't be poor any more." His Early Career
Most often, Nat played in a trio with one of his brothers. The trio did not have a drummer; but because...