Biography of Cannonball Adderley

Few saxophonists were able to combine popularity and artistry better than Cannonball Adderley. A music teacher from Fort Lauderdale, Adderley moved to New York in 1955. Arriving very shortly after the death of Charlie Parker, he forged a sound that displayed not only aspects of Bird but also the influence of Benny Carter, Louis Jordan, and Eddie Cleanhead Vinson. Adderley had a full, rounded tone, and could play beautiful ballads or swirling, blistering tempos. In later years, Adderley's band became very popular through his incorporation of blues, R&B, and gospel elements, but above all else he was a champion of melody and one of the greatest ballad stylists ever. He had his own band with his brother Nat from 1956-1957, then joined Miles Davis from 1957-1959, appearing on some of Davis's greatest masterpieces of the era, among them Kind of Blue and Milestones. From 1959 until his death, he once again led groups with his brother. His groups included such distinguished alumni as Yusef Lateef, Charles Lloyd, Sam Jones, Joe Zawinul, and George Duke. The 1967 song "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" was a sizable pop hit. ~ Ron Wynn

Biography of Cannonball Adderley

Few saxophonists were able to combine popularity and artistry better than Cannonball Adderley. A music teacher from Fort Lauderdale, Adderley moved to New York in 1955. Arriving very shortly after the death of Charlie Parker, he forged a sound that displayed not only aspects of Bird but also the influence of Benny Carter, Louis Jordan, and Eddie Cleanhead Vinson. Adderley had a full, rounded tone, and could play beautiful ballads or swirling, blistering tempos. In later years, Adderley's band became very popular through his incorporation of blues, R&B, and gospel elements, but above all else he was a champion of melody and one of the greatest ballad stylists ever. He had his own band with his brother Nat from 1956-1957, then joined Miles Davis from 1957-1959, appearing on some of Davis's greatest masterpieces of the era, among them Kind of Blue and Milestones. From 1959 until his death, he once again led groups with his brother. His groups included such distinguished alumni as Yusef Lateef, Charles Lloyd, Sam Jones, Joe Zawinul, and George Duke. The 1967 song "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" was a sizable pop hit. ~ Ron Wynn