Ike Cole born 13 July 1927

Isaac "Ike" Cole (July 13, 1927 – April 22, 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Taller, heavier and younger than Nat King Cole, Ike Cole was often likened in his quiet manner, keyboard talent and singing style to his famous brother, who died in 1965 of lung cancer at the age of 45. He was also the uncle of Natalie Cole, Lionel Cole, and Carole Cole. 

                                              L-R:Nat King Cole with his mother, Perlina,                                                    his younger brother, Ike, and his father, Edward, circa 1940.

Ike Cole was born to Rev. Edward J. Coles and Perlina (Adams) Coles, and was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. His brothers Nat King Cole (1919–1965), Eddie (1910–1970), and Freddy (1931–2020) also each pursued careers in music. Ike played drums in his youth. He played bass drum in a U.S. Army band during the Korean War, and moved back to Chicago after his discharge, where he formed his own jazz trio. 

He appeared on television in the 1950s and held a residency in Las Vegas, later touring internationally. When he played the Beverly Hills Club during his first swing through the West in 1966, a Times critic said, “Ike’s piano work, like Nat’s, is outstanding, and he seems to enjoy every minute he’s in the spotlight.” Cole earned spots on the television variety shows of Andy Williams, Dean Martin and Red Skelton, and was soon booked steadily for Las Vegas shows. Although often singing a medley of his older brother’s hits, Ike Cole performed primarily jazz standards. 

                              

With his trio, Ike Cole regularly toured Japan, Australia and Europe as well as performing in clubs across the United States especially in Chicago at clubs such as the Pump Room and the Playboy Club before moving to Arizona in 1986 with his wife, Margie. Ike and Margie Cole remained married until Ike's death, lasting 52 years. 

The comparison with his brother Nat was, Ike Cole told The Times in 1971, a decidedly mixed blessing. The favourable comparison may have been helpful, but he suffered, he said, from false accusations that he was “trying to live off the name.” At one time, Ike said, he considered changing his name but yielded to Nat’s request shortly before his death that he carry on the Cole family name. 

Asked early in his career if he ever deliberately copied his famous brother’s style, Cole told The Times: “Perhaps unconsciously. I guess it’s a family trait because my brothers also sing this way.” Ike more than made his peace with the relationship, and in 1990, the 25th anniversary of his brother’s death, he teamed with another brother, Freddy, to tour the company with their show, “We Remember Nat . . . A Salute to Our Brother.” 

When niece Natalie Cole recorded her late father’s songs in her 1991 album, Ike played keyboard. The album sold more than 6 million copies around the world and earned Grammys for Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Performance as well as Song of the Year for songwriter Irving Gordon. 

He died of cancer in Sun Lakes, Arizona, April 22, 2001, aged 73 years. His jazz library was donated to the Hamilton High School music department. 

(Edited from Wikipedia & The Los Angeles Times)

 Here’s a Scopitone Soundie from the mid 60’s complete with annoying dancing girls and Ike saluting his brother Nat King Cole.