He was naturally gregarious, effusive and witty. After the first set he was holding court on the curb in front of the club on Barrow Street. It must have been the next night that I went down to hear him and he certainly lived up to his newly-hatched reputation. When Cannonball Adderley and his brother Nat arrived from Florida in late June of 1955, sat in with Oscar Pettiford’s band at the Cafe Bohemia and knocked everyone out, word spread quickly within the jazz community. The energy and joie de vivre that all Adderley-led combos had is multiplied by Yusef’s versatile mastery, the nonpareil rhythm section and a chance to witness again the talent of the young Joe Zawinul. It’s a special kick to see and hear these two performances of the 1963 Cannonball Adderley sextet. This DVD is a reminder that Cannonball Adderley was one of the most outstanding and highly respected alto saxophonists in the history of jazz, a blues-based jazzman who could play anything in superb fashion.Ĭover photo by Giles Petard Collection/Redfernsīooklet photos by Lee Tanner, Francis Wolff, Gianni Cardani, Rolf Ambor, Popsie, Lennart Steen, Val Wilmer

Quincy Jones’ “Jessica’s Day” leaps from the gate with a huge “big band” sound that is extraordinary for only six musicians. Cannonball Adderley (alto sax), Nat Adderley (cornet) and the masterful Yusef Lateef (tenor sax, flute, oboe), provide a massive three-horn frontline attack, while the stellar rhythm section featuring a pre-Weather Report Joe Zawinul (piano), Sam Jones (bass) and Louis Hayes (drums) fuel the songs with a deep infectious swing. Adderley boasts two beautifully filmed concerts from one of the most celebrated sextets in jazz history, captured at the top of their game.

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