Cannonball Adderley

Live in Paris 1969 Cannonball Adderley

Julian “Cannonball” Adderley is undoubtedly one of the most versatile musicians of the 20th century. He devoted himself to all styles of jazz – from cool and hard bop to funk – and drew equally from African, South American and blues traditions. Adderley was a tireless creator who founded and reshaped ensembles and was always searching for deeper musical expression. His motto: jazz must evolve, but it must never forget its roots. Frédéric D'Oria-Nicolas, the musical treasure hunter behind “The Lost Recordings,” writes about the discovery of the recordings for “Cannonball Adderley – Live In Paris 1969 / Berlin 1972”: “In the Berlin radio archives, we discovered this recording of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet from 1972. When we heard the first notes of ”Hummin'," we beamed from ear to ear and even started dancing in the studio. But the length of the tapes, which were simply too short, meant that they couldn't be released. It wasn't until a year later, during our trip to Stockholm, that we discovered another tape of Cannonball's 1969 concert at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, which was just as extraordinary. Today, we are delighted to be able to share this exceptional album with you, with its absolutely fantastic music and sound quality!"

Adderley became famous in 1958 with the historic recording “Somethin' Else” alongside Miles Davis and John Coltrane. But instead of remaining in their shadow, he went his own way. In 1960 he moved to Europe with his brother Nat, where many African-American jazz artists found creative freedom beyond the racial conflicts in the US. Cannonball flourished, unbound by trends or expectations. His stage presence was impressive, his sound powerful and sensual, and his charisma instantly captivated audiences. This album from The Lost Recordings features previously unreleased recordings from Berlin (1972) and Paris (1969) and showcases Adderley at the height of his powers. From the pulsating energy of “Hummin” to the delicate depth of “Manhã De Carnaval”, every track is a testament to his refined craftsmanship. Standout tracks such as “Walk Tall” and “Work Song” embody his commitment to dignity and justice, while “Oh Babe” and “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” combine raw emotion with a joyful groove. The funky undertones hint at the future of R&B and confirm Cannonball's role as a visionary.

The first edition of these lavishly restored recordings comes as a numbered and strictly limited LP (4,000 copies) – on 180-gram vinyl, cut at 33 RPM and pressed by MEK Vinyl, Switzerland. The famous Kevin Gray is responsible for the lacquer cuts. The audiophile label “The Lost Recordings” is celebrated worldwide for preserving priceless musical heritage and the unmatched quality of its Phoenix Mastering™ restorations. “Cannonball Adderley – Live In Paris 1969 / Berlin 1972” is a sonic revelation!

Julian "Cannonball“ Adderley (Saxophone) Nat Adderley (Cornet) Joe Zawinul (Keyboards) Victor Gaskin (Bass) Roy McCurdy (Drums) George Duke (Keyboards) Walter Booker (Bass)

*   Recorded at Salle Pleyel, Paris, France on 27. March 1969 (MONO ℗ 1969 SISTRIS) ** Recorded at the Berlin Philharmonie, Germany on 2. November 1972 (STEREO ℗ 1972 RBB)

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