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.
Bohemia After Dark
Cannonball Adderley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not to cry, coz' it's over
The're turning down the light
It's late now
Wave the last
Goodbye...
Coz it's after dark now
And Disneyland is closed
Icecold beer
And Walt is our host
It's after dark now
And Disneyland is closed...
The party is over
The night is here
Let's bring out a toast...
The lyrics of "Bohemia After Dark" by Cannonball Adderley paint a bittersweet image of the end of a night, where the party attendees are leaving a magical place behind. The singer is looking at the sky, trying not to cry, as he realizes that the night is over, and the lights are being turned down. The tone is melancholic, as he waves the last goodbye to the loved ones he shared the night with. The familiar Disneyland, a place of happiness and fantasy, is closed, and the night is here.
The second stanza depicts the after-party, where the guests are sitting and enjoying their final drinks. Ice-cold beers are being served, and Walt, the iconic figure behind Disneyland, is their host. As the night is here, and the party's over, the singer calls for a toast to celebrate the memory of the magical moments they shared. The lyrics bring an air of nostalgia to the listener, reminding them of times when the night-life was vibrant and full of experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking at the sky, I'm trying
I am gazing up at the nighttime sky, attempting to hold back tears
Not to cry, coz' it's over
I am striving to not shed any tears due to the fact that this experience has concluded
The're turning down the light
The lights in the vicinity are diminishing in brightness
It's late now
It is now late in the night
Wave the last
Give a final gesture of farewell
Goodbye...
A farewell to this time and place
Coz it's after dark now
The current time is after nightfall
And Disneyland is closed
The amusement park is no longer open
We've been served
Drinks have been brought to us
Icecold beer
Refreshing, chilled alcoholic beverages
And Walt is our host
Walt Disney, the creator of the aforementioned amusement park, is the one providing us with this refreshment
It's after dark now
The night has fallen completely
And Disneyland is closed...
The time for entertainment has ceased
The party is over
The gathering has come to an end
The night is here
The darkness of the night surrounds us
Let's bring out a toast...
Let us raise our glasses and make a celebratory gesture
Writer(s): Cannonball Adderly
Contributed by Adalyn N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Christopher Cahill
The first cut on the first jazz album I ever bought -- 38 years ago with my first check from my first job. It sounds even better now!
- Schupack
Miles w Coltrane: Airegin, Tune Up, etc...
Kerry Carnohan
...what a hip way to start out
DISGUYROX
I have this by Tito Puente, aslo great
Romeo Perrin
Un grand must
Okmusix
Hi,
thanks for adding a comment.
I ask you two minutes to go and see our online shop:
https://teespring.com/it/stores/ok-store-16
Here you can find quality products at an affordable price: every week we add new ones.
A little gift for you:
https://sellfy.com/euterpe/p/9dyslf/
John Tunstall
Wooooooooooo