Research Catalog

Oral history interview with Nat Adderley.

Title
Oral history interview with Nat Adderley.
Publication
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1993.

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Moving imageUse in library Sc Visual VRA-179Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound

Details

Additional Authors
  • Adderley, Nat, 1931-2000
  • Murray, James Briggs
  • Owens, Jimmy, 1943-
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Description
3 videodiscs (104 min.) : soud, color; 4 3/4 in.
Summary
The oral history interview with Nat Adderley begins with his childhood. Adderley was born in Tampa, Fla. A year later, the family, including older brother Cannonball moved to Tallahassee. Adderley's father played cornet and trumpet; around age 7 Nat began studying trumpet. A discussion of the jazz scene in Florida follows. Florida had a number of influential musicians, notably Blue Mitchell (Miami) and Cannonball. Adderley also admired musicians from other locales: Buck Clayton and Roy Eldridge, later Dizzy Gillespie. In the 1940s, Adderley collaborated with Blue; he taught Blue trumpet while Blue taught him bebop. World War II: a band director put Nat and Cannonball in a local college band; taught them a great deal. Nat sang with the band, but at 12 his voice changed. He therefore focused on the trumpet; learned a number of techniques. Late 1940s/early 1950s (service years): practiced by imitating Dizzy and Miles Davis. Duke Ellington came to play at Florida A & M; band member, Clark Terry, had dinner at the Adderley home. Under Terry's tutelage Nat began to understand why he was playing particular notes. Terry helped Nat get started in NYC. 1953/54 school year, Lionel Hampton came to play; Nat joined Hampton's band. The band was a classic trumpet band; Adderley, however, began playing the cornet. Jaki Byard started them on bebop; he introduced Cannonball to Charlie Parker and Nat to Dizzy. Nat toured US and Europe with Hampton. Was scheduled to play the Apollo; awaiting the birth of his son in Fla., he was replaced. Went to NYC anyway and, through Buster Cooper, began playing with a rhythm & blues band. Returned to Florida, then Philadelphia; played with Junior Mance, Sam Jones and Specs Wright (whom he likened to Max Roach). Terry and Quincy Jones got them a deal with Mercury (1956). Financial difficulties ensued and the band dismantled. Joined J.J. Johnson and signed with Riverside. Left J.J. for a gig with Woody Herman (1959). Continued to incorporate various exercises into his solos; superimposed chords were a particular challenge. Formed the Cannonball Adderley Quintet with brother; their careers ran parallel to each other until Cannonball's death in 1975. Nat toured Europe and, reuniting with J.J., Japan. Formed Nat Adderley Quintet. Discusses bell's palsy and a 1986 bypass surgery; prompts a discussion of Jimmy Heath's heart attack (same day, also in 1986). Adderley presents a collage of his works: "Mysterioso" (with Heath), "Motherless child" (with Hampton), etc. Special emphasis placed on Nat's greatest commercial hit, "Work song". Talks about the business side of music, including their own publishing, management and production companies. Concludes the interview with a discussion of Louis Armstrong; Adderley's father was an Armstrong fan but was critical of Armstrong's on-stage portrayal of African Americans. This affected Nat early on; later Adderley and Armstrong became neighbors and collaborators. Also collaborated with Ella Fitzgerald.
Donor/Sponsor
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Interviews.
  • Oral histories.
Note
  • The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
Credits (note)
  • Producer, James Briggs Murray.
Terms of Use (note)
  • Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography (note)
  • Nat Adderley is a cornet player, trumpet player and composer. Born Nathaniel Adderley on Oct. 25, 1931 in Tampa, Fla., he began a prolific career in jazz at an early age. First in close association with older brother Cannonball (Julian Edwin) and, from 1975, on his own.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1063
OCLC
1112365624
Title
Oral history interview with Nat Adderley.
Production
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1993.
Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
Type of Medium
video
Type of Carrier
videodisc
Digital File Characteristics
video file DVD
Performer
Interviewer, Jimmy Owens.
Credits
Producer, James Briggs Murray.
Event
Recorded April 2, 1993 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Terms Of Use
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography
Nat Adderley is a cornet player, trumpet player and composer. Born Nathaniel Adderley on Oct. 25, 1931 in Tampa, Fla., he began a prolific career in jazz at an early age. First in close association with older brother Cannonball (Julian Edwin) and, from 1975, on his own.
Linking Entry
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Local Note
Archival original: 1 videocassette (MII) in Sc Visual VRC-2.
Connect to:
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Added Author
Adderley, Nat, 1931-2000, interviewee.
Murray, James Briggs, producer.
Owens, Jimmy, 1943- interviewer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Research Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1063
Sc Visual VRA-179 VHS
Sc Visual VRC-2 MII
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