What do you get when you combine Luther Vandross, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea? You get the creative spirit of pianist Nat Adderley, Jr.
He wrote his first tune, "I'm On My Way" when he was 11, and it appeared on a recording of his iconic uncle Cannonball Adderley. Neither his uncle nor his father Nat pressured him to pursue music. He found the calling on his own. For over two decades Nat would team up with his old high school buddy Luther Vandross, as his pianist and musical director. But deep inside there was an attraction and love for the creativity of jazz folks, like John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Joe Zawinul.
Appropriately titled, Took So Long is Nat Adderley, Jr's first recording as a Leader. In a setting featuring three outstanding trios, there are reimagined standards, an original, and a fabulous recollection of his dear friend Luther Vandross on "Superstar", which he and Luther first united on for Vandross' recording Busy Body, heard here with an infectious samba feel.
It might have taken so long, but it has been well worth it. As Nat says, "Jazz! There's nothing like it!"
Hear a track from the new Nat Adderley, Jr. Trio recording each morning at 8:20 AM, another feature made possible by the members of WBGO.
