By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 03:01 pm:

I was sitting ruminating and Nat Adderley came to mind. I was wondering whether you esteemed gentlemen had any anecdotes or thoughts on him. I had the pleasure of working with him on Shout Up A Morning, a show he had written with Diane Lampert and Peter Yarrow. We started at La Jolla Playhouse in 1986, directed by Des McAnuff. The cast and sets and music were incredible but there was a great deal of disagreement among the creative staff. Nat was extremely unhappy with the Broadway-style musicians hired by the "establishment" and never liked the sound they had.

When the show was transferred to the Kennedy Center, Nat must have gained control over who was being hired as musicans. When we had the first orchestra rehearsal, in walked guys who looked kinda beat and as though they had just stepped out of a jazz documentary. There was general smirking all around by the cast and creative establishment. Oh, but when these guys started to play (some who could obviously not read music) it was the sweetest, most powerful reading of the score we had ever heard. It was pure jazz & blues and wonderful. Everyone then understood why Nat had been so unhappy. The smile on Nat's face told it all. And the cast imbued the music with an energy and understanding that had not existed in the La Jolla production. He was a wonderful man and is sorely missed.

By Larry (68.164.131.219) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 09:33 pm:

Michael/cleoharvey,

Mike Mclean has a story about Nat "Cannonball" Adderley. I searched the archives, but, couldn't find it. Nat wanted to do a demo. Mike recorded him w/Paul Chambers on bass. I believe it was done AT Motown, but, not sure. Where's Mr. McLean?