Cannonball Adderley in 1958: Video

On May 7, 1958, alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley appeared on an NBC-TV broadcast called The Subject Is Jazz. He was part of a septet assembled by pianist Billy Taylor.

The series was hosted by Gilbert Seldes, a music writer and critic, who each week showcased a different jazz style illustrated by guests. This time around it was bop’s turn. [Photo above of Cannonball Adderley during the Somethin’ Else recording session in March 1958]

In the case of Adderley, he was captured here at a very interesting moment in his career. Two months earlier he had recorded the seminal album Somethin’ Else for Blue Note. Weeks later in May, he would record On Green Dolphin Street, Fran-Dance and Stella by Starlight with the Miles Davis Sextet. So we have Adderley at a turning point, when he was fast becoming a major jazz star.

Appearing in the septet is Cannonball Adderley (as), Nat Adderley (cnt), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Billy Taylor (p), Mundell Lowe (g), Ed Safranski (b) and Ed Thigpen (d).

Thanks to Bret Primack for sending this one along.

The Billy Taylor All-Stars in May 1958, featuring Cannonball Adderley…