Nat Adderley

Nat Adderley
Adderley performing in Braunschweig in 1993
Background information
Birth name	Nathaniel Adderley
Born	(1931-11-25)November 25, 1931 Tampa, Florida, United States
Died	January 2, 2000(2000-01-02) (aged 68) Lakeland, Florida
Genres	Hard bop, soul jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instruments	Cornet, Trumpet
Labels	Savoy, Wing, EmArcy, Riverside, Jazzland, Atlantic, Milestone
Associated acts	Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Johnny Griffin, Ron Carter, Sonny Fortune

Nathaniel "Nat" Adderley (November 25, 1931 – January 2, 2000) was an American jazz cornet and trumpet player who played in the hard bop and soul jazz genres. He was the brother of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, whom he remained very close to in his career but under whose shadow he lived for most of his life.

Nat Adderly's "Work Song" is a jazz standard which also became a success on the pop charts after singer Oscar Brown, Jr. wrote lyrics for the tune.

Nat Adderley was born in Tampa, Florida, but moved to Tallahassee, Florida, when both parents were hired to teach at Florida A&M University. His father had played trumpet professionally in his younger years, and he initially passed down his trumpet to Cannonball. When Cannonball picked up the alto saxophone, he passed the trumpet on to Nat who began playing in 1946. He and Cannonball played with Ray Charles in the early 1940s in Tallahassee, among other amateur gigs they played around the area.

Nat ended up attending Florida University, majoring in sociology with a minor in music. He officially switched to cornet in 1950, and he never turned back. From 1951-1953, he enlisted in the army. He played in the army band under his brother during this time, taking at least one tour of Korea before returning to a station in the United States. Upon return, Nat attended Florida A&M with the hopes of becoming a teacher.

Shortly before Nat was expected to begin student teaching, Lionel Hampton played a concert at Florida A&M. Very confident in his abilities, Adderley played for Hampton. Hampton must have enjoyed what he heard because he invited Adderley to join his band. Putting school on hold, Adderley played under Hampton from 1954 to 1955, including a European tour. Upon his return, he intended to go back to school to become a schoolteacher.

The turning point in both Nat and Cannonball's careers occurred on a trip to New York in 1955. The brothers stopped by the Café Bohemia in Greenwich Village while bassist Oscar Pettiford was playing. Both of them showed up ready to play, should the chance occur. Cannonball was asked to sit as the regular saxophonist was out, and he blew away the musicians with his dexterity and musicianship. Then Nat was pulled on stage, and as he played everyone was equally impressed with him. This single appearance was enough to kick-start both of their careers. Recording and gig offers began pouring in. Nat recorded for the first time that year.