The return of the King ...

New York Times reporter Anita Gates wrote a preview of tonight's American Masters "The World of Nat 'King' Cole," airing at 7 on WPT. In it, she writes about the racial issues that Cole overcame on his rise to Jazz stardom as one of the genre's premiere vocalists.

Despite his death in 1965, Cole is still revered by his peers and loved by a large fan base that continues working to carry on his legacy.

Tonight's program is followed at 8 by a concert from Cole's daughter Natalie on Great Performances. A rare 1961 telecast of Nat "King" Cole in concert will air at midnight Thursday, after an encore of tonight's American Masters.