One of the great alto saxophonists, Cannonball Adderley had an exuberant and happy sound that communicated immediately to listeners. His intelligent presentation of his music (often explaining what he and his musicians were going to play) helped make him one of the most popular of all jazzmen.
This CD presents the complete original album "Cannonball's Bossa Nova," which was Cannonball Adderleys contribution to the bossa nova craze that pervaded the United States in the early 1960s. For this special occasion, he wasnt backed by his usual group, but by an authentic bossa nova formation featuring celebrated Brazilian musicians, like pianist Sergio Mendes, future Weather Report percussionist Dom Um Romao, and guitarist Durval Ferreira.
Two alternate versions from the same sessions, as well as the saxophonists earliest existing recording of his brother Nat Adderleys The Jive Samba taped by Cannonballs regular group (featuring Nat) have been included as bonus tracks. The latter song would become a regular feature in the quintets repertoire. As a further bonus, a complete session featuring Cannonball (who plays solos on all tracks) and Milt Jackson.
Cannonball Adderley's Mercury albums (most of which, like this LP, are long out-of-print) find the youthful altoist trying to unsuccessfully keep his quintet with brother Nat together. Despite the powerful bop-oriented music they consistently recorded, the band would break up in a year, only to regroup with great success in 1959…
The "Poll-Winners" at the time of this recording were Adderley, guitarist Wes Montgomery and bassist Ray Brown; together with Victor Feldman doubling on piano and vibes and drummer Louis Hayes they cut this excellent quintet date. This was the only meeting on records by Adderley and Montgomery and, although not quite a classic encounter, the music (highlighted by "The Chant," "Never Will I Marry" and two takes of "Au Privave") swings hard and is quite enjoyable.
Compiled by pianist Joe Zawinul, this Capitol collection features 10 songs composed by Zawinul himself and performed by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Both one-time members of Miles Davis's groups, Adderley and Zawinul began their association in the early 1960s when Zawinul joined the sax man's ensemble. In addition to writing some of Adderley's most memorable and popular material, Zawinul proved instrumental in pushing the quintet toward a more soulful, commercially viable sound.
Cannonball Enroute is the sixth album by the jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, and his first released on the Mercury label, featuring performances with Nat Adderley, Junior Mance, Sam Jones, and Jimmy Cobb. Cannonball Adderley's enroute to a great jazz legacy here – stepping out in a groove that begins to show some of the soul jazz modes he was forging at the end of the 50s – a great change from the straighter bop styles of his early years! The lineup here is a wonderful early expression of the familiar Adderley groove – with brother Nat Adderley on cornet, Junior Mance on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – with Mance and Jones bringing an especially nice bottom end to the record – one that gets things moving in a very soulful way! Titles include "Porky", "Hoppin John", "That Funky Train", "I'll Remember April", and "18th Century Ballroom".
A set that's right on target, right from the start – and one that has the young Cannonball Adderley really coming into his groove! The set's a lot more soul jazz-oriented than some of Cannon's records from a few years before – played by a rock-solid group that includes brother Nat Adderley on cornet, Junior Mance on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – hitting a groove that's got plenty of nascent elements of that Cannonball sound that would virtually take over jazz in the 60s! Yet there's also a nicely different vibe going on here too – a bit less structure, and a looser approach to the mode – spun out with some modern moments too, on titles that include "Straight No Chaser", "Jubilation", "Our Delight", "Fuller Bop Man", and "Stay On It".
A rare live set by Cannonball Adderley – unreleased in America at the time, and performed with the style of Cannon's best work for Riverside! The album's very similar to some of the group's best live sets for Riverside – like the San Francisco or other Tokyo recording – done with tracks that are long and a bit stretched out, performed with Nat Adderley on cornet, Joe Zawinul on piano, Vic Gaskin on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums.