Nature Boy

Nat King Cole · 1948

Context

Song by eden ahbez, written in tribute to his mentor Bill Pester. Nat King Cole recorded it in Hollywood at Capitol, with an orchestra conducted by Frank De Vol that included strings and flute. Released on March 29, 1948, during the AFM recording strike, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart and sold over a million copies.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese. Among the origins and influences of Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese: Classic blues (women singers), Swing, big bands, Bebop (Minton's, Monroe's).

Cited in 1 radio episode

• Oct 2, 2026: Nature Boy - Burn Babylon (Anatomie d'un titre, TSF Jazz, in French)

By the same artist

• Straighten Up and Fly Right (1943)

Sources

• EN: Nature Boy

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