Cannonball's Bossa Nova
Florida-born alto saxophonist Julian Cannonball Adderley distinguished himself as a member ofMiles Davis's groups (he's the sultry alto onKind of Blue) and with the hard-bop ensembles he co-led with his cornet-playing brother Nat. This recording, produced by Orrin Keepnews in 1963 for the Riverside label, features Adderley performing bossa nova-based compositions. Anchored by Brazilian composer and pianistSergio Mendes's band (with alto saxophonistPaulo Moura), Adderley's singing sax lines float over the sunny Rio rhythms, owing more toBenny CarterthanCharlie Parker. The renditions ofAntonio Carlos Jobim's standards "Corcovado" and "Once I Loved" andJoao Donato's "Minha Saudades" are comparable toStan Getz's Legendary records from the same period, showing anew that jazz and South American music have learned much from each other.--Eugene Holley Jr.