FAMU students had an opportunity to get up close and personal with musical genius, pianist, composer, and arranger Nat Adderley Jr last week. Adderley visited FAMU as a part of the University's 2010-11 Lyceum series.
Adderely's father, powerhouse cornetist and composer Nat Adderley, who was famed for his work with his brother (Nat Jr's uncle) the legendary alto saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley are both FAMU graduates.
The 55-year-old pianist was born in Quincy, Fla., but grew up in Teaneck from age 5. He began playing the piano soon thereafter wrote his first song (age 11) "I'm on My Way", which was recorded by his father and uncle. The tune appeared on Cannonball's 1967 classic, "Why Am I Treated So Bad!" (Capitol).
Luther Vandross' music director
Despite all that jazz juice in his genes, Adderley Jr. spent nearly his entire career in pop and R&B, primarily as music director and arranger for the esteemed R&B singer Luther Vandross (1951-2005).
Adderley arranged material for Vandross' first hit album, 1981's "Never Too Much" (Epic/Legacy). He subsequently worked with the singer until February 2003, when Vandross suffered the stroke that ended his career and led to his death.
These days, Adderley, who makes his home in West Orange, has his sights set back on jazz. "There's no question, my success in pop overshadowed jazz," he says.
Nat Jr. revives kinfolks' music at Lyceum
For the FAMU Lyceum performance Friday, Adderley performed the music of his uncle, saxophonist Cannonball, and his father by teaming up with FAMU professors Longineu Parsons , and Diron Holloway. Parsons, a cornetist , and Holloway, a alto saxophonists, who are both world renowned performers in their own right.
Prof. Parsons’ efforts were glistening examples of advanced technique, with a satisfactory echo of cornetist Nat. Prof. Holloway (no relation to tenor man Red Holloway) did not try to evoke Cannonball. He just threw in plenty, plenty soul of his own devising and a bushel of affection too. And of course that did sound like Cannonball.