Cannonball Adderley was an alto saxophonist who played hard bop and later brought soul jazz and modal jazz into his music. He fronted a quintet and a sextet with his cornetist brother, Nat. He is very well known for having played on the albums “Kind of Blue” and “Somethin’ Else” with Miles Davis. I’ve selected the standard “Autumn Leaves” from the latter album. Adderley has a warm, full, beautiful singing tone, with no trace of hardness. He could easily have been one of the best lead alto sax players in a big band. His sound is blues rooted. He has … Continue reading Jazz Birthdays: Julian “Cannonball” Adderley (1928) and Bobby Short (1926)