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.
What Is This Thing Called Love
Cannonball Adderley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leading a life apart
When love flew in through my window wide
And quickened my hum-drum heart
Love flew in through my window
I was so happy then
But after love had stayed a little while
Love flew out again
What is this thing called love?
This funny thing called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make a fool of me?
I saw you there one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw my heart away
That's why I ask the Lawd up in Heaven above
What is this thing called love?
You gave me days of sunshine
You gave me nights of cheer
You made my life an enchanted dream
'Til somebody else came near
Somebody else came near you
I felt the winter's chill
And now I sit and wonder night and day
Why I love you still
In Cannonball Adderley's song "What Is This Thing Called Love?" the lyrics describe the transformative power of love and the confusion and heartbreak that can come with it. The singer starts off as a "hum-drum person" living a mundane life, until love unexpectedly enters their life through an open window, awakening their heart and bringing happiness. However, just as unexpectedly as it arrived, love departs again, leaving the singer questioning the nature of love itself.
The chorus of the song reflects the singer's perplexity and frustration with love. They wonder about the mystery of love and why it has the ability to make them feel foolish. The singer recalls a specific moment when they saw the person they loved, but that person ended up breaking their heart, causing them to question the purpose and nature of love.
The second verse portrays the contrasting emotions love brings. The singer acknowledges that love brought them joy and happiness, filling their life with sunshine and cheer. However, when someone else entered the picture, their heart was once again broken, leaving them feeling cold and wondering why they still love the person who hurt them.
Overall, the lyrics to "What Is This Thing Called Love?" explore the complex and often contradictory emotions that love can evoke, from joy and happiness to confusion and heartbreak. The singer's journey reflects the universal human experience of grappling with the mysteries and challenges of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a hum-drum person
I used to lead a monotonous and unexciting life
Leading a life apart
Living a life disconnected from love and excitement
When love flew in through my window wide
Suddenly, love entered my life unexpectedly
And quickened my hum-drum heart
It awakened and invigorated my previously dull and uninspired heart
Love flew in through my window
Love entered my life unannounced and surprising
I was so happy then
In that moment, I experienced immense joy
But after love had stayed a little while
However, the happiness didn't last long as love didn't endure
Love flew out again
Love departed from my life just as quickly as it arrived
What is this thing called love?
I am in search of understanding the true nature of love
This funny thing called love?
Love is such a peculiar and unpredictable phenomenon
Just who can solve its mystery?
I wonder if anyone can unravel the enigma of love
Why should it make a fool of me?
I question why love has the ability to make me feel foolish
I saw you there one wonderful day
On a splendid day, I caught sight of you
You took my heart and threw my heart away
You took possession of my heart but later discarded it carelessly
That's why I ask the Lawd up in Heaven above
For this reason, I seek answers from the Lord in the heavens
What is this thing called love?
I still ponder the true essence and nature of love
You gave me days of sunshine
You bestowed upon me joyful and radiant days
You gave me nights of cheer
You provided me with nights filled with happiness and merriment
You made my life an enchanted dream
You turned my existence into a magical and captivating fantasy
'Til somebody else came near
Until another person approached and invaded our connection
Somebody else came near you
Someone else grew closer to you, diminishing my significance
I felt the winter's chill
I experienced a cold and desolate feeling within me
And now I sit and wonder night and day
Presently, I spend my time contemplating incessantly
Why I love you still
Questioning the reasons for my enduring love for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Francisco Moreno
This is great. Thanks for posting.
Oscar301
good one
eL .AnGsT
<3