Nat King Cole was a significant American musician known for his smooth, melodic voice and his pioneering contributions to jazz and pop music. Born in 1919, Cole first gained prominence as a leading jazz pianist, but achieved greater fame with his unique vocal style, marked by careful diction and a warm, velvety tone. His influential works include timeless hits like "Unforgettable" and "The Christmas Song". As one of the first African American artists to host a national television variety show, "The Nat King Cole Show," he broke significant racial barriers in the American entertainment industry.