nathaniel adams coles, professionally known as nat king cole, (march 17, 1919 - february 15, 1965) was an american jazz musician, singer and songwriter. he was born in the southern city of montgomery, alabama. his father was a christian minister. millions of nat king cole’s recordings were sold while he was alive. he died of lung cancer in february, 1965, when he was forty-five years old. people around the world still enjoy listening to the music of one of america’s greatest performers of popular and jazz music.