Unforgettable: Allan Harris Sings a Tribute to Nat “King” Cole at Stanford Jazz Festival

Inside Jazz pre-concert talk: Memories of Nat “King” Cole
Sunday, June 26, 1:30 p.m.
Featuring: Sonny Buxton (KCSM Jazz 91.1)

Straddling the divide that grew between pop and jazz in the late ’40s and early ’50s, Nat “King” Cole enjoyed unprecedented success. With piano chops inherited from his teacher, Earl “Fatha” Hines, and a velvety baritone voice, Cole kept the Top Ten filled with singles year after year. To see whether those songs have endured, all it takes is a look at a brief list to instantly recall the sound of his voice: “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Unforgettable,” “Too Young,” “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa,” and “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons.” With his untimely death from lung cancer at age 45, the world lost a major talent. In this special tribute, noted Nat “King” Cole specialists Allan Harris (vocals) and Larry Dunlap (piano) rekindle the King Cole magic, with some very special guests. The Washington Post says, “Relaxed, romantic, swinging, and extremely easy on the ears—jazz vocalist Allan Harris’s tribute to Nat 'King' Cole . . . got all the important things right.”...

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Inside Jazz pre-concert talk: Memories of Nat “King” Cole
Sunday, June 26, 1:30 p.m.
Featuring: Sonny Buxton (KCSM Jazz 91.1)

Straddling the divide that grew between pop and jazz in the late ’40s and early ’50s, Nat “King” Cole enjoyed unprecedented success. With piano chops inherited from his teacher, Earl “Fatha” Hines, and a velvety baritone voice, Cole kept the Top Ten filled with singles year after year. To see whether those songs have endured, all it takes is a look at a brief list to instantly recall the sound of his voice: “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Unforgettable,” “Too Young,” “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa,” and “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons.” With his untimely death from lung cancer at age 45, the world lost a major talent. In this special tribute, noted Nat “King” Cole specialists Allan Harris (vocals) and Larry Dunlap (piano) rekindle the King Cole magic, with some very special guests. The Washington Post says, “Relaxed, romantic, swinging, and extremely easy on the ears—jazz vocalist Allan Harris’s tribute to Nat 'King' Cole . . . got all the important things right.”

For more information on this event or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.stanfordjazz.org or call (650) 725-ARTS [2787]

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