|
Series
#
|
Season
#
|
Airdate
|
Guests, Regulars,
and Songs
|
|
001
|
1-01
|
11/5/1956
|
The Boataneers (4
men, 1 woman), Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Songs: "Somebody Loves Me," "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face"
(Nat), "Tea For Two" (Nat vocal/piano and Boataneers), Memory Song:
"Unforgettable" (Nat)
Note: Nat was appearing at the famous Copacabana in New York, so his first
half dozen shows originated from that city. This episode didn't air in Los
Angeles.
|
|
002
|
1-02
|
11/12/1956
|
The
Boataneers, Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Songs: "This Can't Be Love" (Nat), "The End of a Beautiful
Friendship" (Nat and Boataneers), "C-U-B-A," Memory Song:
"Mona Lisa" (Nat)
|
|
003
|
1-03
|
11/19/1956
|
The Boataneers,
Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Songs: "Thou Swell," "Night Lights," (Nat) "Two
Different Worlds" (Nat and Boataneers), "It's Only a Paper
Moon" (Nat vocal/piano and his combo), Memory Song: "Early
American" (Nat)
|
|
004
|
1-04
|
11/26/1956
|
The Boataneers,
Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Announcer: Bill Hanrahan
Songs: "To the Ends of the Earth" (Nat and Boataneers), "My
Foolish Heart" (Nat), "Sweet Sue, Just You" (Nat and
Boataneers), "Stella By Starlight" (Nat on piano), "Love
Letters" (Nat and Boataneers), "Street of Dreams" (Jenkins
Orchestra)
Note: Nat does a mostly Victor Young program, in tribute to the songwriter
who passed away 16 days earlier.
|
|
005
|
1-05
|
12/3/1956
|
The Boataneers,
Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Songs: "I'm Shooting High," "Autumn Leaves" (Nat),
"Just One Of Those Things" (Nat on piano), Memory Song: "There
Goes My Heart" (Nat)
|
|
006
|
1-06
|
12/10/1956
|
Unidentified vocal
group, Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Songs: "Little Girl," Medley: "Repeat After
Me"/"True Love" (Nat and vocal group), "Too Marvelous For
Words" (Nat vocal/piano and his combo), Memory Song: "Too
Young" (Nat)
|
|
007
|
1-07
|
12/17/1956
|
The Eddie Beale
Singers, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "When You're Smiling," (Nat and Beale Singers), "Night
Lights" (Nat), "Take Me Back to Toyland," (Nat and Beale
Singers), "Just in Time," Memory Song: "Somewhere Along the
Way" (Nat)
Note: With this episode, airing in color, Nat moved his show from New York to
Hollywood.
|
|
008
|
1-08
|
12/24/1956
|
Unidentified vocal
group, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,"
"A House With Love In It," "Mrs. Santa Claus,"
"Jingle Bells" (Nat and vocal group), Memory Song: "The
Christmas Song" (Nat), "Silent Night" (vocal group)
Note: Nat's daughters Cookie (Carol) and Sweetie (Natalie) show up at the
close of the show.
|
|
009
|
1-09
|
12/31/1956
|
Nelson Riddle and
his Orchestra
Songs: "Almost Like Being in Love," "Route 66,"
"Love Me Tender," "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
(Nat)
Note: This show originated from Hollywood and aired in color.
|
|
010
|
1-10
|
1/7/1957
|
Unidentified vocal
group, unidentified orchestra
Songs: "Thou Swell," "You Stepped Out Of a Dream,"
"Two Different Worlds," "Crazy Rhythm"
|
|
011
|
1-11
|
1/14/1957
|
Stuff Smith, The Herman
McCoy Singers (4 men, 4 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Pick Yourself Up," "Somebody
Loves Me," "Love Me Tender" (Nat) "I Know That You
Know" (Nat and his combo with Stuff), Memory Song: "A Little Street
Where Old Friends Meet"
Note: Violinist Stuff Smith was Nat's first guest. They had played together on
Nat’s "After Midnight" album, recorded in 1956.
|
|
012
|
1-12
|
1/21/1957
|
The Herman McCoy
Singers (3 men, 3 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Announcer: Vince Pelletier
Songs: "Just in Time" (Nat vocal/piano), "Jealous Lover"
(Nat and McCoy Singers), "You Are My First Love" (Nat), "The
Banana Boat Song (Day-O)" (Nat and McCoy Singers), Memory Song:
"Ballerina" (Nat)
Note: This episode was sponsored Carter Products, with commercials for Arrid
deodorant and Rise shaving cream. At the close of the show, Nat announces
that he'll be leaving the next day for New York City, where he'll be
appearing "this coming Wednesday" for one week at the Paramount
Theater.
|
|
013
|
1-13
|
1/28/1957
|
Count Basie, The
Boataneers (4 men, 1 woman), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Announcer: Bill Hanrahan
Songs: "I'm Sitting On Top of the World," "This Can't Be
Love" (Nat), "Namely You" (Nat and Boataneers), "Lady Be
Good" (Nat sings and Basie plays piano, then Nat and Basie alternate on
piano), Memory Song: "September Song" (Nat and Boataneers)
Note: Ella Fitzgerald was to have joined the guest roster but cancelled due
to illness. Nat tells viewers to watch 21 with Charles Van Doren, the
infamous quiz show and contestant soon caught up in one of the biggest
scandals in TV history. This show
originated from New York.
|
|
014
|
1-14
|
2/4/1957
|
Unidentified vocal
group, unidentified orchestra
Songs: "You're the Top," "But Not For Me," "You Are
My First Love" (Nat), "Just You, Just Me" (Nat vocal/piano and
his combo - probably John Collins, guitar; Charlie Harris, bass; Lee Young,
drums), Memory Song: "There Will Never Be Another You" (Nat)
Note: Nat was appearing at The Tropicana in Havana for two weeks, and this
show originated from Miami. Nat mentions that his new sponsor is America's
largest-selling deodorant (probably Arrid).
|
|
015
|
1-15
|
2/11/1957
|
Unidentified vocal
group, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "That's My Girl" (Nat), "Coquette,"
"True Love" (Nat and vocal group), "Tea For Two" (Nat on
piano), Memory Song: "My Funny Valentine" (Nat)
Note: This show originated from Miami.
|
|
016
|
1-16
|
2/18/1957
|
The Boataneers (4
men, 1 woman), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "I'm Shooting High" (Nat), "Blueberry Hill" (Nat and
Boataneers), "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face,"
"Ballerina," Memory Song: "Pretend" (Nat)
Note: This show features commercials for Arrid and Rise.
|
|
017
|
1-17
|
2/25/1957
|
Unidentified vocal
group, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Should I?" (Nat), "It All Depends On You,"
"Namely You" (Nat and vocal group), "This Is My Night To
Dream" (Nat vocal/piano with his combo), Memory Song:
"Unforgettable" (Nat)
|
|
018
|
1-18
|
3/4/1957
|
No details known
|
|
019
|
1-19
|
3/11/1957
|
No details known
|
|
020
|
1-20
|
3/18/1957
|
No details known
|
|
021
|
1-21
|
3/25/1957
|
Maria Cole (Nat's
wife)
Song: "You're Getting To Be a Habit With Me" (Nat and Maria)
Note: This show originated from Hollywood. Maria Cole, under the name
"Marie Ellington," had a moderately successful career with Duke
Ellington (no relation) and as a solo singer.
|
|
022
|
1-22
|
4/1/1957
|
Song:
"Stardust"
|
|
023
|
1-23
|
4/8/1957
|
No details known
|
|
024
|
1-24
|
4/15/1957
|
No details known
|
|
025
|
1-25
|
4/22/1957
|
No details known
|
|
026
|
1-26
|
4/29/1957
|
No details known
|
|
027
|
1-27
|
5/6/1957
|
Songs: "Sweet
Lorraine," "Lucky Day," "Stay As Sweet As You Are"
|
|
028
|
1-28
|
5/13/1957
|
No details known
|
|
029
|
1-29
|
5/20/1957
|
No details known
|
|
030
|
1-30
|
5/27/1957
|
No details known
|
|
031
|
1-31
|
6/3/1957
|
No details known
|
|
032
|
1-32
|
6/10/1957
|
No details known
|
|
033
|
1-33
|
6/17/1957
|
No details known
|
|
034
|
1-34
|
6/24/1957
|
No details known
|
|
Series
#
|
Season
#
|
Airdate
|
Guests, Regulars,
and Songs
|
|
035
|
2-01
|
7/2/1957
|
Frankie Laine, The
Randy Van Horne Singers (3 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "I'm Shootin' High" (Nat), "When Rock 'n Roll Came to
Trinidad" (Nat and Van Horne Singers), "It Only Happens Once"
(Excerpt) (Nat), "Without Him" (Frankie), "Love Letters in the
Sand" (Nat and Van Horne Singers), tongue-in-cheek medley of
"That's My Desire" (Frankie)/"Nature Boy"
(Nat)/"Rockin' Chair" (Frankie)/"By the River
Sainte-Marie" (Nat and Frankie)/"Mona Lisa" (Nat)/"On the
Sunny Side of the Street" (Frankie)/"Night Lights" (Nat)/"Be
a Clown" (Nat and Frankie), "I Get a Kick Out of You" (Nat on
piano), Memory Song: "Stay As Sweet As You Are" (Nat)
|
|
036
|
2-02
|
7/9/1957
|
Mel Tormé,
June Christy, The Randy Van Horne Singers (3 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and
his Orchestra
Songs: "Crazy Rhythm" (Nat and Van Horne Singers) "When I Fall
in Love" (Nat), "I Want To Be Happy" (June), "Send For
Me" (Nat, Van Horne Singers, and combo), "A Foggy Day" (Mel),
"Exactly Like You" (Mel on piano and drums), "Exactly Like
You" (Nat and Mel dancing), "How High the Moon" (June on
vocal, Nat on piano, Mel on drums, probably John Collins on guitar, Joe
Comfort on bass), Memory Song: "I'm in the Mood for Love" (Nat and
Van Horne Singers)
Note: Nat announces that in two weeks his guests will be Sammy Davis Jr. and
the Hi-Lo's.
|
|
037
|
2-03
|
7/16/1957
|
Pearl Bailey, Louis
Bellson, The Randy Van Horne Singers (3 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his
Orchestra
Songs: "Breezin' Along With the Breeze," "My Personal Possession"
(Nat and Van Horne Singers), "You Came a Long Way From St. Louis"
(Pearl), "Around the World" (Nat and the Van Horne Singers),
"Non Dimenticar" (Pearl), "C-U-B-A" (Nat), "Takes
Two to Tango" (Pearl), Drum Solo (Louis), "I Can't Rock 'n Roll to Save
My Soul" (Pearl), Memory Song: "The Nearness of You" (Nat and
the Van Horne Singers)
Note: Nat announces that Sammy Davis Jr. and the Hi-Lo's will be coming up in
August and in two weeks his guests will be Robert Mitchum and the King
Sisters.
|
|
|
7/23/1957
|
Pre-empted by
"The Big Issue," a debate about the then-current civil rights bill
before Congress
|
|
038
|
2-04
|
7/30/1957
|
Sammy Davis Jr.,
The Hi-Lo's, The Randy Van Horne Singers (4 men, 4 women), unidentified
orchestra
Songs: "Taking a Chance on Love" (Nat and the Van Horne Singers),
"Maybe It's Because (I Love You Too Much)" (Nat), "I'm Ridin'
for the Moon," Dance Number (Sammy), "My Sugar is So Refined"
(the Hi-Lo's), "It's Only a Paper Moon" (Nat singing and playing
piano), "Somewhere Along the Way" (Nat and Sammy), Comedy Sketch:
"A Night in A Café" or "The Brother's Return" (Nat
and Sammy), Memory Songs: "Beyond the Blue Horizon" and
"Linger Awhile" (Nat, Sammy, the Hi-Lo's, the Van Horne Singers)
Note: According to TV Guide, Robert Mitchum and The King Sisters were
to have guest starred, but it appears that Mitchum cancelled out and the King
Sisters were rescheduled for 8/20/1957.
|
|
039
|
2-05
|
8/6/1957
|
Harry Belafonte,
The Randy Van Horne Singers (4 men, 4 women), unidentified orchestra
Songs: "Love Is Sweeping the Country," "It's Not For Me To
Say" (Nat and Van Horne Singers), "Did You Hear About Jerry,"
"Scarlet Ribbons" (Harry), "I Thought About Marie" (Nat),
Short versions of "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Nature
Boy" (Nat), and "How High the Moon" (Nat on piano, Harry on
drums), "Island in the Sun" (Harry), "Send For Me" (Nat
and Harry), "Mama Look a Boo-Boo Day" (Nat, Harry, and Van Horne
Singers), Memory Song: "Unforgettable" (Nat)
|
|
040
|
2-06
|
8/13/1957
|
Lisa Kirk, Jimmie Komack,
The Randy Van Horne Singers, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Valentine," "Pigalle," (Nat),
"Alouette" (Nat and four boys), "Mam'selle" (Nat),
"Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody" (Jimmie), "The
Paris Merry-Go-Round," "Hi-Lili Hi-Lo" (Lisa), "C'est Si
Bon" (Nat vocal/piano, Lisa and Jimmie), "La Seine" (Nat and
Van Horne Singers), Memory Song: "You Were Only Passing By" (Nat)
Note: Nat and his guests salute Paris.
|
|
041
|
2-07
|
8/20/1957
|
Johnny Desmond, The
King Sisters, Alvino Rey
Songs: "When You're Smiling," "It All Depends On You"
(Nat), "Easy to Love" (The King Sisters), "Where or When"
(Nat), "I'll Be Seeing You" (Johnny), "Moonlight in
Vermont" (Alvino), "Consideration" (Johnny)
Note: This is the only 30-minute episode I don't have a copy of, so
information comes from TV Guide. In the previous episode, Nat
describes this as "a cavalcade of songs from the past thirty
years."
|
|
042
|
2-08
|
8/27/1957
|
Margaret Whiting,
The Merry Macs, The Randy Van Horne Singers (3 men, 2 women), unidentified
orchestra
Songs: "Another Opening, Another Show" (Nat and Van Horne Singers),
"Raintree County" (Nat), "Pop Goes the Weasel" (The Merry
Macs), "It Might As Well Be Spring" (Margaret), "I'm Sitting
On Top of the World" (Nat), "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" (The
Merry Macs), "Alone Together" (Margaret), "Pretend"
(Nat), "Chopsticks" (The Merry Macs with Nat and Margaret on
piano), Memory Song: "Shine On Harvest Moon" (Nat)
Note: This was billed as The Nat King Cole Summer Theatre.
|
|
043
|
2-09
|
9/3/1957
|
Peggy Lee, Julius
La Rosa, The Randy Van Horne Singers, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "It's a Good Day" (Nat and Van Horne Singers), "I'm
Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (Nat), "My Heart
Stood Still" (Peggy), "With You On My Mind" (Nat and Van Horne
Singers - four men only), "Famous Last Words" (Julius), "Don't
Get Around Much Anymore" (Peggy), "That Old Black Magic"
(Julius), "How High the Moon" (Nat), "Makin' Records"
(sung to the tune of "Makin' Whoopee") (Nat, Peggy and Julius),
Memory Song: "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky" (Nat and Van Horne
Singers)
Note: This show's theme is records.
|
|
044
|
2-10
|
9/10/1957
|
Ella Fitzgerald,
The Four Lads, The Randy Van Horne Singers (3 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle
and his Orchestra
Songs: "Pick Yourself Up" (Nat and Van Horne Singers),
"Anything Goes" (Nat), "Standing On the Corner,"
"The Eyes of God" (The Four Lads), "Fascination" (Nat),
"Goody Goody," "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"
(Ella), "It's All Right With Me" (Ella with Nat vocal/piano),
"You're the Top" (Ella and Nat), Memory Song: "Love Is the
Thing" (Nat)
Note: This is the first of four consecutive shows originating from the Copa
Room at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.
|
|
Series
#
|
Season
#
|
Airdate
|
Guests, Regulars,
and Songs
|
|
045
|
3-01
|
9/17/1957
|
Tony Martin, The Sparkletones,
The Jerry Graff Singers (2 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Lucky Day" (Nat and Graff Singers), "An Affair to
Remember" (Nat), "Rocket," "Black Slacks" (The
Sparkletones), "It's All in the Game" (Nat), "At Last"
(Tony and Graff Singers), "Manhattan" (Tony and Nat), "On the
Sunny Side of the Street" (Nat vocal/piano and Tony vocal/clarinet),
Memory Song: "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (Nat and Graff Singers),
"Shadow Waltz" (Nat), "I'll See You In My Dreams" (Tony)
Note: This show originated from the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.
|
|
046
|
3-02
|
9/24/1957
|
Gogi Grant, dance
trio The Dunhills, The Copa Girls, The Jerry Graff Singers (2 men, 2 women),
Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Who Cares," "Soft Sands" (Nat and Graff Singers),
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "It's a Wonderful Thing
To Be Loved" (Gogi), "With You On My Mind" (Nat and Graff
Singers), "Blue Skies" (The Dunhills), "Tea for Two" (Nat
and The Dunhills), Memory Song: "Mona Lisa" (Nat)
Note: This show originated from the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Gogi Grant did
the singing for The Helen Morgan Story.
|
|
047
|
3-03
|
10/1/1957
|
Tony Bennett, The
Beachcombers with Natalie, unidentified orchestra; cameo by Jane Russell
Songs: "Little Girl," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write
Myself a Letter" (Nat), "In the Middle of an Island," "I
Am" (Tony), "Raintree County" (Nat), "It Must Be
True" (The Beachcombers with Natalie), "Muskrat Ramble" (The
Beachcombers with Natalie plus Nat, Tony, bassist Charlie Harris, and drummer
Lee Young), Memory Song: "Star Dust" (Nat)
Note: In honor of his 47th episode, Nat's guests handle the introductions.
This show originated from the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Jane Russell, the
star who will succeed Nat at the hotel's Copa Room, comes on at the end of
the show. Charlie Harris and Lee Young were members of Nat's combo.
|
|
048
|
3-04
|
10/8/1957
|
Eartha Kitt, The
Jerry Graff Singers (2 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "I'm Just Breezin' Along With the Breeze," "It's Not
For Me To Say" (Nat and Graff Singers), "Just an Old Fashioned
Girl" (Eartha), "My One Sin" (Nat), "My Heart Belongs To
Daddy" (Eartha), "The Sheik of Araby" (Eartha and Nat), Memory
Song: "Maybe It's Because I Love You Too Much" (Nat)
Note: This show originated from Hollywood. At the time, Nat and Eartha were
shooting the film St. Louis Blues.
|
|
049
|
3-05
|
10/15/1957
|
Norman Granz' Jazz
at the Philharmonic (JATP) featuring Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins,
Stan Getz, Illinois Jacquet, Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone), Oscar Peterson
(piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), Jo Jones (drums); Nelson
Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "It's Only a Paper Moon" (Nat with Riddle Orchestra; sax
solo by Phillips), "Sweet Lorraine" (Nat with Hawkins, Peterson,
Ellis, and Brown), "C Jam Blues" (Phillips, Jacquet, Eldridge,
Peterson, Ellis, Brown, and Jones), "I Want To Be Happy" (Nat on
piano with Ellis, Brown, Jones, Eldridge, and Getz), "With You On My
Mind" (Nat with Phillips, Jacquet, and Riddle Orchestra), "Stompin'
at the Savoy" (Nat with Getz, Hawkins, Eldridge, Peterson, Ellis, Brown,
and Jones), Memory Song: "Tenderly" (Nat with Peterson, Ellis,
Brown, and Riddle Orchestra), "Shadow Waltz" (JATP), "Shadow
Waltz" (Nat on piano with Riddle Orchestra)
Note: Impresario Norman Granz acts as co-emcee with Nat, helping him
introduce the numbers. Granz' first JATP concert on July 2, 1944 featured Nat
on piano. At the end of "Stompin' at the Savoy,"
the horns play the melody to Coleman Hawkins' "Spotlite." Leading
into the "memory song" segment, the melody to "Memories"
is played by Hawkins, rather than sung by a vocal group.
|
|
050
|
3-06
|
10/22/1957
|
Cab Calloway, Hugh
O'Brian, The Randy Van Horne Singers (4 men), unidentified orchestra
Songs: "I'm Shooting High," "Don't Move," "My Personal
Possession" (Nat and Van Horne Singers), "Home on the Range"
(Nat), "It Ain't Necessarily So" (Cab), "Don't Fence Me
In" (Nat and Cab), "The Calloway Boogie" (Cab),
"California, Here I Come" (Nat on piano), Memory Song: "Give a
Thought" (Nat)
Note: O'Brian is billed as Nat's "surprise guest," with the only
clue being that he's one of TV's biggest western stars. Not surprisingly,
this show has a western theme. O'Brian had just released a vocal album and
Nat sings "Don't Move" from that album.
|
|
051
|
3-07
|
10/29/1957
|
Johnny Mercer, The
Cheerleaders (2 men, 2 women), unidentified orchestra
Songs: "I'm Sitting On Top of the World" (Nat), "Dream"
(Nat and Cheerleaders), "Send For Me" (Johnny), "My Heart
Reminds Me" (Nat vocal/piano), "Save the Bones For Henry
Jones" (Nat vocal/piano with Johnny), Mercer Medley (Cheerleaders),
Memory Song: "Autumn Leaves" (Nat)
Note: Singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer was one of the founders of Capitol
Records, Nat's label. Johnny tells the audience that Nat will appear on Edward
R. Murrow's Person to Person show the following Friday night, which
would make it November 1, 1957.
|
|
052
|
3-08
|
11/5/1957
|
Cornel Wilde, Peggy
King, Michel Ray, Billy Preston, The Cheerleaders (2 men, 2 women),
unidentified orchestra, dixieland combo with Teddy Buckner (trumpet), Barney
Bigard (clarinet), George Washington (trombone), Gerry Wiggins (piano), Art
Edwards (bass), Lee Young (drums)
Songs: "Who Cares" (Nat and Cheerleaders),
"Fascination" (Nat), "Careless Love" (Nat and Combo),
"When I Fall In Love" (Nat), "Billy's Boogie" (Billy on
organ), "Blueberry Hill" (Nat and Billy on vocal/organ), Memory
Song: "St. Louis Blues," "It's Just About That Time
Again" (Nat)
Note: Nat uses some of the actual sets from his upcoming movie St. Louis
Blues, in which he plays songwriter W. C. Handy. A future music star
himself, 11-year-old Billy Preston, who in the film plays Handy as a boy,
sings and plays the organ. Also on hand are movie stars Wilde, King, and Ray,
plugging their own pictures. They each give Nat a cake and presents for his
daughters Sweetie (Carol) and Cookie (Natalie). Nat announces that this is
the first anniversary of his show and debuts his new closing theme,
"It's Just About That Time Again."
|
|
053
|
3-09
|
11/12/1957
|
Mahalia Jackson,
The Cheerleaders (2 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Button Up Your Overcoat" (Nat and Cheerleaders),
"Raintree County" (Nat), "Diga Diga Doo" (Nelson and
Orchestra), "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" (Mahalia),
"Steal Away To Jesus" (Mahalia and Nat), Medley: "I Feel a
Song Comin' On" (Nat and Cheerleaders)/"I Hear Music"
(Cheerleaders)/"It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing"
(Nat)/"True Love" (Nat)/"Kingston Town" (Cheerleaders)/"Jailhouse
Rock" (Nat)/"Down By the River Side" (Mahalia)/"Sing,
Sing, Sing"/"The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On)"
(Nat and Cheerleaders), Memory Song: "My Heart Stood Still" (Nat)
Note: Orchestra leader and arranger Nelson Riddle is one of the featured
guests and Nat introduces him and his copyists. My best guess is that the
orchestra soloists are Conrad Gozzo (trumpet) and Buddy Collette (tenor
saxophone). The bassist is Charlie Harris (of the King Cole Trio), and
ex-Duke Ellington sideman Juan Tizol can be seen in the trombone section.
Mahalia Jackson was featured in Nat's then-current movie St. Louis Blues.
Nat introduces The Cheerleaders individually as Tom, Patty, Donna, and Don.
|
|
054
|
3-10
|
11/19/1957
|
Ella Fitzgerald,
The Cheerleaders (2 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Roll Out the Barrel" (Nat and Cheerleaders), "All the
Way" (Nat vocal/piano), "The Lady Is a Tramp,"
"Perdido" (Ella), "Where or When" (Nat and Cheerleaders),
"Dancing on the Ceiling" (Ella), "Too Close For Comfort"
(Nat and Ella), Memory Song: "Unforgettable" (Nat)
Note: Ella Fitzgerald was featured in Nat's then-current movie St. Louis
Blues.
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11/26/1957
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Pre-empted by
"The Pied Piper of Hamelin" starring Van Johnson (Film). Nat was
appearing in Australia this week.
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055
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3-11
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12/3/1957
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Betty Hutton, The Cheerleaders
(2 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "I Want To Be Happy" (Nat and Cheerleaders), "April
Love, " "I Am In Love" (Nat), "Now That I Need You"
(Betty), "Tea For Two" (Nat on piano), Medley: "Mona
Lisa" (Betty)/"Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief"
(Nat)/"Answer Me, My Love" (Betty)/"His Rocking Horse Ran
Away" (Nat)/"Orange Colored Sky" (Nat and Betty),
"Anything You Can Do," "That Old Soft Shoe" (Nat and
Betty), Memory Song: "Once In a While" (Nat)
Note: In a lighthearted medley, Nat and Betty sing each other's hits and
finish up with a duet on "Orange Colored Sky," a song recorded by
both.
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056
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3-12
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12/10/1957
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The Mills Brothers,
The Cheerleaders (2 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "Love Is Sweeping the Country" (Nat and Cheerleaders),
"Sayonara" (Nat), "Glow Worm," "I Believe In Santa
Claus" (Mills Brothers), "Three Blind Mice" (Riddle
Orchestra's trombone section), "Lullaby of the Leaves" (Nat and
trombones), Medley: "I Want To Be Happy" (Nat)/"I'm the
Guy" (Mills Brothers)/"If I Had You" (Nat)/"If I Had My
Way" (Mills Brothers)/"I'll String Along With You"
(Nat)/"I'll Be Around" (Mills Brothers)/"Sweet Lorraine"
(Nat)/"Sweet Adeline" (Mills Brothers and Nat), "Opus
One" (Nat, Mills Brothers, Cheerleaders, trombone section), Memory Song:
"These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You" (Nat)
Note: As a change of pace, Nat features Nelson Riddle's trombone section
(Harold Dina, Juan Tizol, and Russell Brown) on a couple of numbers. In a
medley, Nat and The Mills Brothers sing their hits with similar titles.
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057
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3-13
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12/17/1957
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Billy Eckstine, The
Cheerleaders (2 men, 2 women), Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra
Songs: "When You're Smiling" (Nat and Cheerleaders), "The
Party's Over" (Nat), "If I Can Help Somebody" (Billy), "A
Blossom Fell" (Nat), "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" (Billy
with Nat vocal/piano), "Rosetta" (Nat vocal/piano and Billy
vocal/trumpet/jazzophone with Nat's combo), Memory Song: "The Christmas
Song" (Nat)
Note: The rather peculiar-looking instrument Billy plays on
"Rosetta" is called a jazzophone, which sounds like a trombone, has
valves and a mouthpiece like a brass instrument, but is shaped like a
saxophone. At the close of this, Nat's last show, a crawl lists all of the
guests who were featured on the program, in the order in which they appeared.
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