TEA FOR TWO (1957) by Nat King Cole - two different versions

This is a video of Nat King Cole doing two different piano versions of 'Tea for Two' in 1957 on his ground breaking television show. People forget that as well as a great singer, Nat was a pretty hot piano player. There is also some rare footage around the 1 minute mark of Nat's playing filmed from above so you can see exactly what he is playing.
While both treatments are similar, the solos in the middle appear to be different . Nat being a jazz musician, I guess they were probably improvisations played differently each time. I would be interested in hearing any views from jazz pianists or others comparing the two.
We are lucky there is so much of Nat's trio stuff around, as well as his more popular crooning material. It really allows him to shine along with the bass and guitar. While some tunes are instrumentals, there are many vocals. It's all good, so you can't go wrong.
See also my slideshow videos for 'When I Take My Sugar To Tea' by the King Cole Trio and for 'Somebody Loves Me' by Nat King Cole, Lester Young and Buddy Rich.
Comments are invited.

[@allanohare7934]

Most people don't realize that Nat Cole was extremely important in the development of jazz piano. Back during WWII he came out with a new style that mostly freed the left hand from time keeping (as it had been used going back to ragtime) and used it primarily for accents or doubling the right hand. Check out some of the videos here by the King Cole Trio of that era and you'll see it pretty clearly. Soon thereafter came Bud Powell, and the bebop piano style that leads to what we hear today.

[@BullgoesforGold355]

Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t he close friends with Art Tatum? Or maybe I’m thinking of Oscar Peterson/Ray Charles.

[@atombomb31458]

@@BullgoesforGold355 allan wrote that reply a lonnnng time ago..Wonder if Dick Hyman knew NKC. Both fabulous players.

[@kennethhodges3187]

It's tragic that most people either didn't know or care about Nat's ability as a pianist! He was a great influence on Oscar Peterson, and the world of jazz lost a great musician when the singing took over! Oh and by the way at the time of writing this Nat would have been 100 this week had he lived! His memory though will never die!

[@harryandruschak2843]

Showing why my entertainment nowadays is mostly YOU TUBE. Rare archive footage like this should be listened to, not gathering dust is some vault.

[@dougdanzeisen9608]

Mr Cole was one of the finest entertainers of his era- he is very gifted in both piano and of course his verbal style. Thank you Mr Nat Cole! I sure wish we had you live today !!

[@mrjimmienoone2130]

Complete bewilderment, disbelief,... How on earth can anybody play such wild, but incredibly tasteful, sophisticated, delicate, inimitable phrases on a piano??? He turns the piano into a totally different kind of instrument.

[@rodrickmiller6376]

Yes he does. Genius

[@vova47]

No, he plays it like the piano should be played. It's some other people who are not doing it right.

[@richardbrudzynski4793]

Brilliant! Cole was born on March 17, 1919. We've been blessed with 100 years of Nat King Cole.

[@lamontlewis]

No other single artist was as proficient at both singing and playing, as was Nat. Simply, he was a freak of music nature. His hands were as enormous as Rachmaninoff's hands. He was capable of euro-classic executions. Like Liberace, he was so talented, he toyed with the keys, turned his back on them and looked at the crowd while executing difficult passages as if he needed only one finger. He was the best pianist of his time. Everyone styled themselves after him.

[@carlosjorgemartinez2742]

Un placer escucharlo. Como persona todo un caballero.

[@docmalthus]

@RipCity! The story I heard was that when Oscar was having trouble with phrasing no less than Art Tatum told him to listen to Nat King Cole. That's how highly regarded he was.

[@evehrlich6657]

Only Armstrong. It's like Babe Ruth, the greatest hitter and pitcher.

[@jonathanbein5559]

What a brilliant summation of his dual proficiency. Yes, I noticed the Rachmaninoff hands as well!!!! Also, in other clips, have seen him do fairly complex contrary motion. What an incredible talent.

[@ohboi9578]

Fats waller

[@JeanPaul-Godtier]

I'm blown away, i thought he was "just" a Singer ! Oh my god how could i have missed this, THIS is pure gold, so much ideas and great improvisation arround the melody !!!

[@comradeplatinumacd829]

He was first and foremost, a top-tier piano player. Same story as George Benson, as in people heard hm sing and said, oh you've got to do this -- you'll make a mint . . . And his voice was wonderful, too. But he's right up there with Tatum, and Earl Fatha Hines, only a more laid-back West Coast sound . . .

[@brucescott4261]

lo gi ...NAT "KING" COLE was one of the best jazz pianists of his time. Listen enthusiastically to THE KING COLE TRIO.

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

He only became a singer because a drunk patron at a bar he played demanded he sing some song (sorry I don't remember the name) . That was the beginning of his singing career. Up until then he was a pianist.

[@edalgra1714]

The song was ‘Sweet Loraine’. (Leslie Gourse: ‘Unforgettable Nat King Cole, 1991, page 33)

[@andrewp7002]

@@georgeb.wolffsohn30 I was amazed - when Oscar Peterson sang (he didn't much) his voice sounds just like Nat's. He does a few bars on the piano lesson video. Both fantastic pianists.

[@jiminihenn]

It' first time that I realize Nat King Cole is superb pianinist.

[@bsykesbeats4013]

1:42 when he stands up and starts to walk away as he plays the last few notes...smh...so dope

[@marcoevans2155]

and 1:50 when he pecks a few notes before he sits back down and starts shredding

[@F0nkyNinja]

Nat King Cole was one of Oscar Peterson's biggest influences. You can see why, what a touch!

[@RockSpoon123]

And Art Tatum!

[@EyaoPantah]

@@RockSpoon123 Tatum was a big influence for both of 'em

[@ronaldciccone260]

The Great Nat King Cole Outstanding

[@violoentvictor]

The list of jazz piano players he's influnced is a mile long. My favorite piano player of all time. Not people also know that cole is also a hell of an arranger, and arranged songs to make ends meet before his big break. True musician!

[@carlcurtis]

Andre Previn and Oscar Peterson spoke of "Nat Cole" the pianist in the highest terms. Good to see this video.

[@clarkelaidlaw1678]

Nat was a great jazz singer,great ballad singer,and a pure genius on the piano....voted top jazz pianist in USA during the 1940.Sadly,his world wide success as a vocalist,meant that he rarely was heard on piano after that...But we have the marvelous Nat Cole Trio recordings as testimony of his keyboard brilliance..Nathaniel Adams Coles..An American hero of the first degree.

[@brucescott4261]

Clarke Laidlaw ...It was called THE KING COLE TRIO.

[@3rdsamdan]

As with George Benson, Nat King Cole is best known as a singer. Too bad the public doesn't get more exposure to George on guitar and Nat on piano.

[@rickcowles6086]

I agree!

[@panman1224]

@@rickcowles6086 Funny, I was thinking the sam thing

[@baldinifan]

On his trio recordings you get both his singing and piano genius.

[@struttingbirdlofi]

This guy! I would say one of the most musically talented individuals of all time. Absolute genius.

[@TwelfthRoot2]

Two words: creative and honest. True creativity is always honest. None of that extraneous fluff.

[@brianrallen]

American Icon! God rest his soul.

[@telephilia]

Thanks! Most folks think NKC was only a crooner.

[@liberte5847]

First Class rendering version rendez-vous, and an incredible pianist to! Bravo 😂. Merci beaucoup from Paris France 👍.

[@relaxationstation7374]

Totally Love It, very pure and untainted... All of these Roaring 20s ish tracks say, "Here's you big chance, you're on kid, either you got it or you don't got it!

[@jmrodas9]

I had never Heard him playing piano but he was really good. The way he moves his fingers on the keyboard to get the sounds of the instrument is fantastic.

[@bsykesbeats4013]

Jesus dude. He was a beast on the keys.

[@cerval41]

Even the great Bill Evans was an admirer of Nat King Cole

[@petehammer4676]

Quite a few jazz pianists of that generation were highly influenced by Nat.

[@XplusX12345678]

Before Nat king cole, Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson were the most influential. Jazz pianist played with pulsating tenths in the left hand (mandatory) and screaming vast runs in the right hand. Nat king cole pioneered the left hand comp style (even in a solo piece) that eventually took hold in the bebop scene. Art Tatum and the other old timers did not like this new style (at the time) because to quote Tatum, “it doesn’t give the left enough to do as it should”.

[@michaelchapman4955]

As was Oscar Peterson who was heavily influenced by Nat & Art Tatum

[@barringtonsmith9147]

Raw talent, period

[@caposasso]

unerreichbar toll, einzigartig die Leichtigkeit

[@vova47]

It's a little known fact that Nat Cole was probably THE most influential jazz pianist ever, Pianists like Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Hank Jones, Bill Evans, Red Garland, Wynton Kelly and Phineas Newborn are just a few examples of Nat Cole school of playing.

[@yuriichernenko794]

i'm amazed not about his playing, but because I understand how natural and easy it is for him... it's from inside.. it's not just "I've learned the notes"..

[@sohooded]

Nat King Cole fantastic singer and amazing pianist!!

[@ThePianoguy89]

He's a great singer and pianist! He was a treasure!

[@Mrphilharmonic]

LOVE those quotes that Nat sneaks in to his outstanding version. They're both quite similar though. I guess most jazzers have their 'stock' versions. I do.

[@flowerbirds2961]

THE BEST AND THE ESSENCE OF ELEGANCE

[@elleondejuda4681]

El maestro King Cole...very good singer and pianist....really good playing with a beautiful technique...un maestro bravo.

[@dnettles]

He was a first rate artist! The Great One! God bless you Nat.

[@terrypursell4332]

I am glad the technology exists to make this kind of material available. I had no idea he had these jazz chops!

[@andrewbarrett1537]

The part that most gets me is the full-chorded riff like a horn section at 2:48... he somehow manages to weigh each voice so that it sounds like four (or so) different instruments, rather than just a chorded piano solo. Unbelievable!

[@cocovinzmcmurphy7947]

That is the definition of class right here !

[@lauramkhitaryan1514]

Oh gosh, look at that inspiration !! And ease!! And love to what he does!!

[@christophersavund1727]

Nat, though know one has given you full colours as a Jazz piano player, you had a maestro's style of your own - and a damn good musician. Blessings,

[@louisemiller2774]

I love Nat King Cole.

[@donaldsmith379]

Hello Louise

[@deanrobertnoble138]

How can you not like this. Nat had it all! Such melodic improvisation.....great piano player!

[@andersonlontsi299]

❤❤😪😪😭😭 Would have paid so so much to see this live. This is a masterpiece! musicians today no longer compose things like this.. they rather copy or just modify some non copyrighted pieces they found. Hope Around the World there are still guys like this to keep the Jazz flame burning🔥, much love and greeting to the 19s!

[@SilasHaslam]

So effortless, the way he played. No wonder that, the great Bill Evans himself was also a fan of Nat

[@Astoriaguy23]

The man with the velvet voice and golden fingers...Nat, you are genius...and you are so loved.

[@charleshoppner4111]

Wow, only knew him from a few songs he sung (beautiful voice), but heard he was a piano player and got curious. HOLY is he ever great, so much emotion and feel and energy but with a virtuosic command of the instrument. Sounds like raw emotion and yet sounds perfect at once - something that seems impossible till you hear a great jazz player.

[@henrimatisse4768]

Mind-blowing...

[@greg55666]

Jesus he was amazing!

[@SedanChair]

That powerful attack, there's nothing like it

[@Leclubinfo]

oh yes. Nobody forget Nat was an incredible pianist. I think he came to sing because people asked for it in gigs and love it so much. And you know, no vocals, no real big success, even during this period of jazz in the world.

[@sumarya72]

Love love love this

[@plafkinfarms]

Wonderful piano playing by Nat King Cole-a true inspiration to all of the young musicians of today. Roger Plafkin, Plafkin Farms, Ada, Michigan

[@mrvlhs]

What a king he be!

[@elchet]

Love the little bit of the A Foggy Day bridge he drops in.

[@taxiwardance7242]

his work with lester young is some of the best most creative music out there. those guys were something else

[@murielcoppage5122]

My Mom & Dad were great fans of Mr. Nat King Cole. I don't know the year, but Mr. Cole made an appearance in the Washington, DC/MD/VA area & Mom & Dad went to see the inimitable Mr. Nat King Cole's early performances. Mom also had several records of Mr. Coles & sheet music of "Beautiful Brown Eyes", Mr. Cole had apparently recorded at some time. I vaguely remember watching Mr. Nat King Cole's early TV show when i was just a little girl. He was super!!

[@dnettles]

One of the giants! WOW!

[@GatorGirl04]

AMAZING footage of a musical GENIUS. While I adore absolutely everything about "King" Cole is piano playing is probably the best demonstration of sheer brilliance. He's like a weaver at a loom crafting a masterpiece like's he's making breakfast. Effortless. I LOVE this man. Thanks so much for posting.

[@krystalharris1259]

Oh how I love both versions!

[@tatianawoods7000]

Such a great pianist!!!❤️ (previously, I've been knowing Nat as a great singer☺️)

[@donaldsmith379]

Hello tatiana

[@jppontat2995]

NAT was a true artist of music... Lovely

[@moraltopic3286]

THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@claudiom1383]

One of the best piano players ever!

[@woodybostic1128]

I’m black and I didn’t know he played as angelic as he sung..amazing talent- ok 👌 Another movie 🎥 role for Jamie Foxx

[@funkygh]

Holy christ Nat was a stone cold badass.

[@barrybrake7049]

Love those references to "A Foggy Day" and "Rhapsody in Blue"

[@ronancowan]

WHAT A BADASS!!!

[@ACowan001]

You can hear how he influenced Oscar.

[@danielroehampton]

Having said that, what a musical genius--- and what a voice also... great taste

[@twanachatman5039]

Remarkably...SUPERB!!!!!

[@davidd6218]

pure class.

[@WaldemarLewinBerlin]

Unglaublich! So schön!!!

[@janeporter818]

Nat King Cole was an incredible pianist and singer.

[@Charlikke]

One of the best jazz piano players !

[@paulbariohay3213]

UNIQUE NAT KING COLE inimitable !!!!!!!!!!

[@andrewmorton3344]

Nat is a bit like Dudley Moore, the fact that these two great pianists were so good at other things means people don't truly realise the genius of their jazz piano skills.

[@Mike8981]

No! Dudley Moore is a bit like Nat!

[@HerveGaspardsing]

Yes! That is the answer to all of the questions he is asking with the piano.

[@alexandergallant7569]

Pure Genius of the great Nat King Cole

[@choward5430]

Ladies and gentlemen! Behold, A MASTER!

[@paulbrewer2374]

Who are the 36 tone-deaf people here who gave Nat a thumbs down? Never mind. Don't tell me! Nat was INDISPUTABLY great!

[@joseluizpagliaro4022]

Fabuloso!!!!!

[@miguelsouza4228]

As a singer... the best. On the piano... a virtuose!

[@pavlezvekic]

Miguel Gustavo Morais de Souza Too bad people don't know

[@KarthusDreams]

Old but gold !

[@crowdmaker]

I like them both, but damn, that second version was red-hot fire. I never knew Nat "King" Cole was such a dynamite pianist.

[@hamishmcdog48]

That dude was amazing. I mean, he was really good.

[@sqzbxkd]

Thank you for posting this! I have always heard what a great jazz pianist Nat King Cole was. It is priceless to be able to see him actually playing!

[@govbop]

Love his piano playing ! He's so original in so many ways His piano was so strong he originated the patented trio as well, and unbelievably fantastic sound. I like his singing and I often feel like we only got a taste of what he was capable of playing bc he focused more on singing, which is what people wanted to hear. But his playing is astounding. I love also his doing the Chico Marx style "tirgger finger"

[@sooshidono]

beautiful piano playings. so beautiful and overwhelming piano touch flowing out from his fingers that kicks everyone into love with his jazzy passions!

[@SaxonC]

My all time favorite male singer and entertainer

[@barrywatson5038]

Great stuff Nat! RIP sir.

[@gesarisa1151]

Forgive my expresion but I didn't know Nat was such a wonderfull pianist: he is such a f... good pianista that I am impressed.

[@jcarc5701]

His timing is impeccable. Many can play technically better but very few with such rhythmic precision.

[@TwelfthRoot2]

Closing Statement well said. His sense of time is unbelievable.

[@ev.mccord6095]

“Technically better”?? Not so sure about that. Not so sure at all.

[@jcarc5701]

@@ev.mccord6095 Well, Peterson, Tatum and the like.

[@mauricecarter5831]

what a classy and gifted man !! RIP Nat

[@mgconlan]

Amazing playing! Nat "King" Cole's subsequent career as a superstar pop singer has made people forget that before he settled on a vocal career, he was a first-rate jazz pianist eagerly called on for radio and record dates. I've astonished many people over the years by playing them Cole's piano records. Check out his trio album with Lester Young on tenor sax and Buddy Rich on drums; producer Norman Granz didn't hire a bass player, but Cole's left hand was so strong he didn't need one.

[@RoundMidnight111]

he was an incredible pianist

[@sonijam]

Wonderful!

[@neilh177]

A beautiful man and a talent the likes of which we'll never see again

[@ViolentFury1]

+Neil Harrison if less people were negative like you, possibly more talented musicians would have appeared by now.

[@Coowallsky]

Blaming an internet poster because there aren't more people of Cole's caliber performing? smh.

[@pepperwilliams4428]

What a great pianist! He gave a nod to to Chico Marx also.

[@rickmaverick1984]

Oh wow wonderful amazing the best

[@okiepita50t-town28]

Fantastic pianist.

[@michaeltekulsky5665]

What a talent