Nat Adderley - For Duke & Cannon (Sextet Live at Sweet Basil) [CD]

Cornetist Nat Adderley, brother and musical partner of Alto Sax great Cannonball Adderley is featured here fourteen years after his brothers departure from the Earth, but still going strong, live at Greenwich Village's legendary Sweet Basil. Never replacing his brother, but at very least, 2 great Alto men are needed to fill the master's shoes: in this case Vincent Herring and Sonny Fortune, who are playing snakes throughout, doing justice to their predecessor. Legendary veteran drummer Jimmy Cobb (Miles Davis - Kinda Blue) is kicking the band with David Williams anchoring it down with two forming a consistent buoyancy that only bemuses the virtuosity of Larry Willis on piano. Adderley himself shines and is in excellent form himself and we catch a rare glimpse of his own musical philosophies as well. We hear live, extended versions of Sonny Rollins' "Oleo", Randy Weston's "Hi-Fly", as well as the Adderley Brothers' famous "Work Song", but the highlight is the gorgeous Adderley composition "For Duke and Cannon" steals the show in this writers opinion. Overall an incredible window into a warm and swinging Spring Night of New York City Jazz in 1989. Personnel: Nat Adderley (cornet, synthesizer); Vincent Herring, Sonny Fortune (alto saxophone); Rob Bargad (piano); Jimmy Cobb (drums).