Summer of '55
In 1955, Florida-born brothers Julian ("Cannonball") and Nat Adderley arrived in New York on summer vacation. The night of their arrival, they sat in with bassistOscar Pettifordand drummerKenny Clarkeat the Café Bohemia. A few days later, Clarke took them in the studio with him to record the Savoy albumBohemia After Dark. Jazz critics immediately pronounced Cannonball the best alto saxophonist sinceCharlie Parkerfor his incisive tone and fluid rhythm, and younger brother Nat provided the perfect complement on cornet. This double-disc set includes the classicBohemia After Dark(which also features pianistHorace Silver) as well as debut solo efforts by Cannonball and Nat. The Adderley Brothers went on to form one of the most popular and enduring bands in jazz during the 1960s. As heard here, they possessed a knack for communicating complex musical ideas with the immediacy of the blues from day one.--Rick Mitchell