Cannonball Adderley: The Definitive Cannonball Adderley

Recorded between February 1957 and August 1971 and featuring Cannonball Adderley in various contexts, Blue Note’s definitive collection touches upon all the high points of a memorable career. The alto saxophonist influenced thousands of followers. His collaborations with his brother Nat, leader Miles Davis and arranger Gil Evans made unforgettable music. Cannonball Adderley brought the blues into his music night in and night out. “Sack o’ Woe,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” and “The Jive Samba” remain as several of the jazz world’s timeless classics. And the saxophonist just kept getting better. His premature death at age 46 – caused by a stroke – cut short an unforgettable career. “The Chocolate Nuisance,” recorded in 1971, seemed to be taking the alto saxophonist higher and higher. The 1958 interpretation of “Limehouse Blues” included here features John Coltrane trading with Adderley, and has been released earlier. It’s unfortunate that Coltrane’s microphone didn’t pick up the artist’s contributions sufficiently. It’s his only appearance on this album.