Cannonball Adderley

A brilliant jazz saxophonist who contributed to some of Miles Davis' greatest moments, Cannonball Adderley's soulful blues style cut through the more avant-garde and free-form sounds of the time and remained upbeat, direct and accessible. Born in Tampa, Florida, he was taught to play by his father and led army dance bands before getting his break in New York when he sat in with Oscar Pettiford's group. With his brother Nat on cornet Adderley formed a quintet for debut Presenting. (1955), before joining Miles Davis and featuring on his legendary albums Milestones (1958) and Kind Of Blue (1959). Seen as the natural successor to sax great Charlie Parker, Adderley hit his stride with albums Portrait Of Cannonball (1958), Know What I Mean (1961) and Cannonball Adderley Sextet In New York (1963) and scored a big crossover hit with single Mercy Mercy Mercy in 1966. He became more experimental and funky on later albums Accent On Africa (1968), The Price You Gotta Pay To Be Free (1970) and Inside Straight (1973), but remained hugely respected in jazz circles until his death in 1975 following a stroke.