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In 2005 - 40 years after his untimely death - musical pioneer Nat "King" Cole returned to Billboard's Top 50, proving his everlasting appeal. "American Masters" now pays tribute to one of the world's most beloved entertainers with a documentary that sheds new light on Cole's universal appeal and towering achievements during a 30-year music and television career. As Isaac Hayes says in the documentary," He was cool before it was cool to be cool."
"American Masters: The World of Nat King Cole" airs on PBS Wednesday, May 17, check local listings for time.
The film, a highlight of the acclaimed series' 20th anniversary season, coincides with the release of The Very Best of Nat King Cole, a DVD and limited edition DVD/CD, and features rare archival performances, home movies and interviews with Cole's wife and daughters, Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Isaac Hayes, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Eartha Kitt, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder and Andrew Young and includes clips of "When I Fall In Love," "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Nature Boy," "Mona Lisa," "Smile," "Unforgettable" and many other hits.
"Nat King Cole triumphed over every barrier placed in his way, using his colossal talent to confront racism at a time when such actions could get a Black man killed," says Susan Lacy, creator and executive producer of "American Masters," a five-time winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Primetime Non-Fiction Series.
"He left...