Adderley is remembered for his 1966 single "Mercy Mercy Mercy", a crossover hit on the pop charts, and for his work with trumpeter Miles Davis, including on the epochal album Kind of Blue (1959). He was the brother of jazz cornetist Nat Adderley, a longtime member of his band.
The name 'Canonball' is supposed to have originated from his being nicknamed 'cannibal' in his youth, on account of his prodigious eating
Early life and career
Originally from Tampa, Florida, Adderley moved to New York in the mid-1950s. His nickname derived originally from "cannibal", a title imposed on him by high school colleagues as a tribute to his voracious appetite.
His educational career was long established prior to teaching applied instrumental music classes at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Cannonball moved to Tallahassee, Florida when his parents obtained teaching positions at Florida A&M University. Both Cannonball and brother Nat played with Ray Charles when Charles lived in Tallahassee during the early 1940s. Cannonball was a local legend in Florida until he moved to New York City in 1955, where he lived in Corona, Queens.
It was in New York during this time that Adderley's prolific career began. Adderley visited the Cafe Bohemia, where Oscar Pettiford's group was playing that night. Adderley had brought his saxophone into the club with him, primarily because he feared that it would be stolen, and he was asked to sit in as the saxophone player was late. That performance established his reputation.
Prior to joining Miles Davis' band, Adderley formed his own group with his brother Nat after signing onto the Savoy jazz label in 1957. He was noticed by Miles Davis, and it was because of his blues-rooted alto saxophone that Davis asked him to play with his group.
Adderley joined the Miles Davis Sextet in October 1957, three months prior to John Coltrane's return to the group. Adderley played on the seminal Davis records Milestones and Kind of Blue. This period also overlapped with pianist Bill Evans' time with the sextet, an association that led to recording Portrait of Cannonball and Know What I Mean?.
His interest as an educator carried over to his recordings. In 1961, Cannonball narrated The Child's Introduction to Jazz, released on Riverside Records.
Band leader
The Cannonball Adderley Quintet featured Cannonball on alto sax and his brother Nat Adderley on cornet. Cannonball's first quintet was not very successful; however, after leaving Davis' group, he formed another, again with his brother, which enjoyed more success.
Later life
By the end of the 1960s, Adderley's playing began to reflect the influence of the electric jazz, avant-garde, and Davis' experiments on the album Bitches Brew. On his albums from this period, such as Accent on Africa (1968) and The Price You Got to Pay to Be Free (1970), he began doubling on soprano saxophone, showing the influence of Coltrane and Wayne Shorter. In that same year, his quintet appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California, and a brief scene of that performance was featured in the 1971 psychological thriller Play Misty for Me, starring Clint Eastwood. In 1975 he also appeared (in an acting role alongside Jose Feliciano and David Carradine) in the episode "Battle Hymn" in the third season of the TV series Kung Fu.
Joe Zawinul's composition "Cannon Ball" (recorded on Weather Report's album Black Market) is a tribute to his former leader. Pepper Adams and George Mraz dedicated the composition "Julian" on the 1975 Pepper Adams album (also called "Julian") days after Cannonball's death.
Songs made famous by Adderley and his bands include "This Here" (written by Bobby Timmons), "The Jive Samba", "Work Song" (written by Nat Adderley), "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (written by Joe Zawinul) and "Walk Tall" (written by Zawinul, Marrow and Rein). A cover version of Pops Staples' "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)?" also entered the charts.
Adderley was initiated as an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity (Gamma Theta chapter, University of North Texas, '60, & Xi Omega chapter, Frostburg State University, '70) and Alpha Phi Alpha (Beta Nu chapter, Florida A&M University).
Adderley died of a stroke in 1975. He was buried in the Southside Cemetery, Tallahassee, Florida. Later that year he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.
Bli-Blip
Cannonball Adderley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a cat who's better at a scat songthat's satirical
In begging for your hand, sweet chick I hope you'll understand this lick.
My love to you I bring on account a you can sing
Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp
My love for you in true on account a you can do
Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp
My poor heart gives a start like a Jitter Bug just won't stop
Your love to me I've sworn on account a mine is your'n
Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp.
My love to you I bring on account a you can sing
Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp
My love for you in true on account a you can do
Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp
My poor heart gives a start like a Jitter Bug just won't stop
Mix your crooning with my spooning and let me blow my top.
Your love to me I've sworn on account a mine is your'n
Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp.
The lyrics to Cannonball Adderley's "Bli-Blip" are a love song, but instead of traditional romantic phrases, he uses playful scatting to express his admiration for the woman he loves. While other suitors may "sing your praises in phases deftly lyrical," Cannonball proclaims himself as a "cat who's better at a scat song that's satirical." He hopes that his unconventional approach to wooing her will win her over, singing, "my poor heart gives a start like a Jitter Bug just won't stop. Mix your crooning with my spooning and let me blow my top."
Throughout the song, Cannonball playfully incorporates scatting phrases, such as "Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp," which add to the fun and carefree tone of the song. He also emphasizes the importance of music in their relationship, noting that his love for her is based on the fact that "you can sing" and "you can do" (referring to musical ability).
Overall, "Bli-Blip" is a joyful and lighthearted love song, with a focus on music as a means of expressing and celebrating love.
Line by Line Meaning
While other lovers sing your praises in phases deftly lyrical.
While other lovers compliment you in eloquent verses, I prefer to sing a satirical song.
I'm a cat who's better at a scat song that's satirical.
I'm like a jazz cat who excels at improvising humorous scat lyrics.
In begging for your hand, sweet chick I hope you'll understand this lick.
When trying to woo you, my dear, I hope you'll appreciate my musical approach.
My love to you I bring on account a you can sing Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp.
I express my love for you because of your musical talent, as evidenced by your ability to sing this song.
My poor heart gives a start like a Jitter Bug just won't stop Mix your crooning with my spooning and let me blow my top.
My heart races like a fast dance, and I long to combine your singing with my affection to reach new heights of passion.
Your love to me I've sworn on account a mine is your'n Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp.
I pledge my love to you, and I hope you'll pledge your love to me in return, as we sing together in harmony.
My love for you in true on account a you can do Bli-Blip Varthy Flam flam flam Hipideedleada Baaaaaaaaaaimp.
My affection for you is genuine and based on your musical talent, as demonstrated by your mastery of this song.
My poor heart gives a start like a Jitter Bug just won't stop Mix your crooning with my spooning and let me blow my top.
My heart leaps with excitement and passion, and I long to combine your singing with my affection to reach new heights of ecstasy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, SID KULLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind