On June 18, 2026, the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood will open its doors for a one night only event that jazz fans will not want to overlook. Renaissance entertainer Aaron Akins will take the stage with his tribute show, “Into the Cole A Tribute to Nat King Cole, a performance that has already earned him a nomination for Best Male Cabaret Concert Artist from BroadwayWorld.com. The evening will feature some of the most cherished songs from the Grammy Award winning legend’s catalog, including the timeless classic Rambling Rose.
From church choir to the big screen
Akins path to this Hollywood moment is one built on decades of dedication. Growing up in Chicago, he discovered his voice at the age of nine when he stepped into the role of lead vocalist for his church choir. That early spark would carry him all the way to Southern Illinois University, where he studied music business while also competing on a basketball scholarship.
After graduating, he relocated to Los Angeles, where his career took off on two parallel tracks acting and music. His first major moment of recognition came when he appeared in the music video for Billy Ocean’s hit single Suddenly, a video that has since surpassed 29 million views on YouTube. From there, his acting résumé expanded to include a portrayal of jazz icon Herbie Hancock in the Emmy Award winning comedy series “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, a role in the film Split Decisions alongside Gene Hackman, and appearances on the PBS program Everybody with Dr. Angela Williams.
A music catalog rooted in soul and nostalgia
Akins’ musical output mirrors the depth of his admiration for classic American songbook traditions. His debut single, I Just Wanna Love You, landed a notable placement in the Netflix thriller Black Butterfly, starring Antonio Banderas, marking a strong entrance into the music world. He followed that with What the World Needs and recorded material written by celebrated songwriter Henry Nemo, whose compositions have graced recordings by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
His sophomore album, Mr. Nostalgia…, released under Omen Records, featured the original track God Made Women Beautiful, a song that was considered for a Grammy nomination and found warm reception at radio stations across the country. His third album, Love is All Around, came out under his own imprint, NAKICO Records, reflecting his growing creative independence. Most recently, Akins released When Do We Love, a single featuring Walter and Wallace Scott of The Whispers, put out through 20th Century Jazz.
Among his recorded work, a remake of Nat King Cole’s iconic Mona Lisa stands as a particularly meaningful project one that drew praise from stations nationwide and helped cement his reputation as a careful and committed steward of Cole’s legacy.
A performer shaped by legendary collaborations
Over the course of his career, Akins has shared stages and creative moments with some of the most respected names in music. He has worked alongside Ray Charles, Eric Clapton and Darryl Jones of the Rolling Stones. His performance history includes opening for Bob Hope’s Original Kings of Comedy at the Hollywood Palladium and a deeply memorable appearance performing for the Pope at the Vatican in 1999, alongside artists including Siedah Garrett and Darryl Phinnessee. He has also performed at the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival, one of the world’s most respected showcases for the genre.
One night in Hollywood
The June 18 performance at the Catalina Jazz Club represents not just a concert but the culmination of a lifelong reverence for one of music’s most enduring voices. For anyone who loves the warmth and elegance of Nat King Cole’s music or who simply wants to witness a seasoned performer at the peak of his craft this is the evening to attend.
Tickets are available now. For more on Aaron Akins, visit AaronAkinsMusic.com, and for venue details, head to CatalinaJazzClub.com.
