He comes with many impressive titles and accomplishments to his name. He has been a musical director, producer, arranger, and composer of music for, and/or has worked with a stellar cast of artists from a varied list. From Luther Vandross to Kirk Whalum, Natalie Cole, Johnny Gill, and Aretha Franklin, and on stage and on television. His famous family name is some of the gold in the jazz universe.
Although he has enjoyed a brilliant career outside of jazz, his DNA is of a firm foundation there. His father, the late Nat Adderley Sr. and his uncle, the late alto sax jazz giant Cannonball Adderley. At the piano leading his ensembles, Nat Jr’s sound is pure confidence and intent. There is unmistakable joy and unbridled celebration.
Maybe that comes from the scope and effect of experience, maybe it comes from the deeper place of familial Grace and impression, but just maybe, it is simply about driving home culture and soul expressed through that very culture’s heart and depth of soul. It’s what spells his cool.