While there may never be an truly comprehensive, one-disc "introduction" to jazz in general, CLASSIC JAZZ does indeed come close–at least, regarding mainstream jazz of the 1960s and early '70s. Present are iconic drummer-bandleaders Buddy Rich and Elvin Jones, purveyors of blues-soaked hard bop Cannonball Adderley and Lee Morgan, vibes ace Bobby Hutcherson, soul-jazz stalwarts Gene Harris, Horace Silver, and Grant Green, and more!

One of the great alto saxophonists, Cannonball Adderley had an exuberant and happy sound that communicated immediately to listeners. His intelligent presentation of his music (often explaining what he and his musicians were going to play) helped make him one of the most popular of all jazzmen.

Cannonball Adderley's Mercury albums (most of which, like this LP, are long out-of-print) find the youthful altoist trying to unsuccessfully keep his quintet with brother Nat together. Despite the powerful bop-oriented music they consistently recorded, the band would break up in a year, only to regroup with great success in 1959…

Cannonball Adderley gave up his own band in 1957 when he had the opportunity to become a sideman in Miles Davis' epic ensemble with John Coltrane, eventually resulting in some of the greatest jazz recordings of all time (including Milestones and Kind of Blue)…

Cannonball Adderley gave up his own band in 1957 when he had the opportunity to become a sideman in Miles Davis' epic ensemble with John Coltrane, eventually resulting in some of the greatest jazz recordings of all time (including Milestones and Kind of Blue). Davis returned the favor in March of 1958, appearing as a sideman on Adderley's all-star quintet date for Blue Note, and the resulting session is indeed Somethin' Else…

Cannonball Adderley gave up his own band in 1957 when he had the opportunity to become a sideman in Miles Davis' epic ensemble with John Coltrane, eventually resulting in some of the greatest jazz recordings of all time (including Milestones and Kind of Blue). Davis returned the favor in March of 1958, appearing as a sideman on Adderley's all-star quintet date for Blue Note, and the resulting session is indeed Somethin' Else. Both horn players are at their peak of lyrical invention, crafting gorgeous, flowing blues lines on the title tune and "One for Daddy-O," as the rhythm team (Hank Jones, Sam Jones, Art Blakey) creates a taut, focused groove (pianist Hank Jones' sly, intuitive orchestrations are studies of harmonic understatement)…

The great alto sax player Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and his cornet player brother Nat first recorded together for Savoy in 1955. And it is those "Summer of '55" sessions that form the basis of this double cd collection.
The Adderley Brothers went on to produce the massively popular jazz hits "Mercy Mery" and "World Song" plus classic albums such as "Nippon Soul". "Cannonball" Adderley developed a considerable career as an alto player in his own right, and his abilities as a player are quite clearly demonstrated on this double cd of mid-fifties recordings. He later went on to record albums under his own name with the pianist Bill Evans and of course "Kind of Blue". This Miles Davis album now ranks as the best selling jazz album of all time, and "Cannonball's" contribution to its success is legendary…

For this CD reissue of a Riverside date, altoist Cannonball Adderley's 1961 Quintet (which includes cornetist Nat Adderley, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes) is joined by guest pianist Wynton Kelly on five of the eight selections, during which Feldman switches quite effectively to vibes. The music falls between funky soul-jazz and hard bop, and each of the performances (particularly "Star Eyes" and "Well You Needn't") is enjoyable. The CD adds a new alternate take of "Lisa" and the previously unissued "O.P." to the original program.

One of the defining players of the 1950s and 1960s hard bop era, Julian Edwin Cannonball Adderley remains one of the most respected and fondly-remembered saxophonists in all of jazz. With a sound that was uniquely his own and a repertoire that saw him support - and in turn be supported by - some of the greatest musicians and groups to emerge during the period, Adderley is the stuff of legend. A huge fan of the playing of Charlie Parker and a fierce defender of the entire genre, Adderley s talents rank highly alongside the likes of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and his catalogue of work as a bandleader is still today among the finest of any jazz master. This collection contains the first eight albums released by Cannonball Adderley as bandleader…

Hot on the heels of session work with Miles Davis and his Kind of Blue-era group, alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley recorded this excellent live date with his brother, cornetist Nat Adderley, along with pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Louis Hayes. The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco defined the accessible, yet technically challenging, soul-jazz that Adderley would be associated with for the rest of his career. The warm, exuberant feel of the quintet is especially evident on the set's two finest tracks - a spirited take on Randy Weston's "Hi-Fly," and on Timmons' swinging "This Here"…

This CD presents the complete original album "Cannonball's Bossa Nova," which was Cannonball Adderleys contribution to the bossa nova craze that pervaded the United States in the early 1960s. For this special occasion, he wasnt backed by his usual group, but by an authentic bossa nova formation featuring celebrated Brazilian musicians, like pianist Sergio Mendes, future Weather Report percussionist Dom Um Romao, and guitarist Durval Ferreira.
Two alternate versions from the same sessions, as well as the saxophonists earliest existing recording of his brother Nat Adderleys The Jive Samba taped by Cannonballs regular group (featuring Nat) have been included as bonus tracks. The latter song would become a regular feature in the quintets repertoire. As a further bonus, a complete session featuring Cannonball (who plays solos on all tracks) and Milt Jackson.