PBS to Air Nat ‘King’ Cole Special, Marking Centennial

My Music: Nat “King” Cole’s Greatest Songs is set to air March 2 on PBS, just ahead of the singer’s 100th birthday on March 17.

The tribute to the Alabama-born pianist and vocalist will be hosted by actor Martin Sheen.

While issuing dozens of recordings during his truncated life, Cole for about a year beginning in 1956 also helmed NBC’s The Nat ‘“King” Cole Show, bringing some of period’s top talent to the nation’s viewing audience.

In 2006, PBS also ran an installment of American Masters on Cole. For this upcoming show, performances are set to include renditions of “Unforgettable,” “Mona Lisa,” “Nature Boy,” “Ramblin’ Rose” and “Sweet Lorraine,” among others.