PRINTER'S NO. 580
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
67
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, FARNESE, FONTANA, STREET, BREWSTER,
DINNIMAN, BROWNE, SANTARSIERO, COSTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, SCHWANK,
MENSCH, KILLION, SABATINA, TARTAGLIONE, J. WARD AND BLAKE,
APRIL 8, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 8, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of April 2019 as "Jazz Appreciation Month"
in Pennsylvania and the contributions of Nat King Cole for
defying racial prejudices and bringing jazz to audiences
worldwide.
WHEREAS, "Jazz Appreciation Month," known as JAM, was created
in 2001 at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
to herald and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history
of jazz in the month of April; and
WHEREAS, JAM is intended to stimulate and encourage people of
all ages to participate in jazz, study the music, attend
concerts, listen to recordings and read books about jazz; and
WHEREAS, This year, JAM celebrates jazz beyond borders by
looking at the dynamic ways jazz has united people across
culture and geography by sparking important discussion around
diversity, identity, diplomacy and innovation; and
WHEREAS, The featured artist for this year's JAM will be Nat
King Cole for his work as an innovative artist, world influencer
and dynamic performer; and
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WHEREAS, Nathaniel Adams Coles, better known professionally
as Nat King Cole, was born March 17, 1919, in Montgomery,
Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Chicago, Illinois, Cole's introduction to
music began early, where by 12 years of age he sang and played
organ in the church where his father was pastor; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by Earl Hines, Cole began his performing
career while still a teenager, joining his brother Eddie Cole,
during which time he adopted the name "Nat Cole"; and
WHEREAS, Later, the "King Cole Trio" was formed, with Nat
King Cole emerging as a vocalist, as well as a talented pianist;
and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Cole performed in the first "Jazz at the
Philharmonic" concerts; and
WHEREAS, In 1946, the King Cole Trio broadcast the "King Cole
Trio Time," which was the first radio program to be sponsored by
a black musician; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, Cole became the first African American to
host a television program when "The Nat 'King' Cole Show"
debuted on NBC; and
WHEREAS, Cole opposed racial segregation, joining other
entertainers in boycotting segregated venues and was a lifetime
member of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, Cole pushed through boundaries of racial prejudice
to become one of the most successful artists of his time; and
WHEREAS, Cole was both internationally and nationally
acclaimed, recording over 150 Billboard charting singles, and
was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award,
inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; and
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WHEREAS, Jazz is a vital part of American culture and has
been a gift to the world; and
WHEREAS, Jazz is a part of the rich and diverse musical
background of this Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of April 2019
as "Jazz Appreciation Month" in Pennsylvania and the
contributions of Nat King Cole for defying racial prejudices and
bringing jazz to audiences worldwide.
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