2/15/16 0&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Killer Diller (1948)

Hollywood-Mondays Killer_Diller_FilmPoster

Killer Diller starring The Clark Brothers (tap dancers), Nat King Cole, Moms Mabley, Dusty Fletcher, Butterfly McQueen, the Andy Kirk Orchestra, dancers from the Katherine Dunham School and the Four Congaroos (dancing Lindy Hop) was filmed in 1948 during the height of post war race films explosion. This all-black cast film, geared toward minority audiences, featured a cavalcade of African-American talent.  Continue reading

1/1/15 O&A NYC EXTRA!: Natalie Cole Dies

By Walter Rutledge

54f6342d217bc9ea8cebf3b0d6383

Natalie Cole, chart-topping R&B singer, winner of nine Grammy Awards and daughter of the legendary singer, bandleader and television groundbreaker Nat (King) Cole died Thursday night at age 65. Cole, who had struggled with a variety of health issues in recent years, was forced to cancel a string of concert performances over the last three months after a recurrence of hepatitis C linked to her earlier drug abuse. The cause of death was reportedly congestive heart failure. Continue reading

12/25/15 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole

403410_1_f

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) is a holiday classic and the most popular Christmas song of all times. The Christmas song written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1944 and was first recorded by The King Cole Trio in 1946. The song was recorded again in stereophonic version with a full orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael using the same arrangement for Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song album in 1961. Continue reading

11/29/15 O&A NYC Sunday Afternoon Jazz Concert: Nat King Cole

JAZZ maxresdefault

An Evening with Nat King Cole is one of the few Nat “King” Cole concerts ever recorded and arguably the best. All but forgotten in a vault for more than thirty years since its original broadcast in 1961 by the British Broadcasting Company, this captivating show is now available on video for the first time, and in color. With its honest simplicity, “An Evening with Nat King Cole” showcases Nat’s ability to touch an audience with his smooth style and gentle grace as seemingly effortless as they are heartfelt. Songs: Day In Day Out, Here’s That Rainy Day, The Way You Look Tonight, When I Fall in Love, Aren’t You Glad You’re You, In the Good Old Summertime, That Sunday (That Summer), Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer, Let There Be Love, It’s Only a Paper Moon, Sweet Lorraine, Ramblin’ Rose, Mona Lisa, Unforgettable. Continue reading

12/25/14 O&A Throwback Thursday MERRY CHRISTMAS!: Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song (1961)

THROWBACK HOLIDAY

403410_1_f

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) is a holiday classic and the most popular Christmas song of all times. The Christmas song written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1944 and was first recorded by The King Cole Trio in 1946. The song was recorded again in stereophonic version with a full orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael using the same arrangement for Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song album in 1961. Continue reading

Apollo Gala: Honors The Place Where Stars Are Born And Legends Are Made

By Walter Rutledge

DESK EMAIL

The annual Apollo Gala has become one of the premiere uptown events. The star studded casts and celebrity laden audience recalls the glamor of the original Harlem Renaissance. This year the format was slightly different; instead of paying homage to a music legend, we were invited to honor the legendary Apollo Theater on the concert hall’s 80th anniversary. Continue reading