From Miles Davis to Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley was an alto saxophonist who breezed past many of jazz music’s greatest names. In the late ’60s he recorded four live-to-radio broadcasts at the height of his career at Seattle’s Penthouse jazz club, and now after half a century, these sessions are finally being released to the public.
Before Swingin’ in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse (1966-1967) is released to streaming services for the first time via Cellar Music Group and la reserve, listen in on an exclusive preview with Happy Mag.
Swingin’ in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse (1966-1967), ready to be released on streaming services for the first time, showcases Cannonball Adderley at the height of his powers.
The sessions saw Cannonball partner up with his brother and longtime band member Nat Adderley on cornet, then Joe Zawinul on piano, Victor Gaskin on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums. The same lineup would record Cannonball’s seminal Mercy, Mercy, Mercy: Live at “The Club” LP, laid down in the iconic Capitol Records studio just a week after the second Swingin’ in Seattle performance.
Swingin’ in Seattle is a rare insight into not just the man’s music, but the man himself. The release keeps Adderley’s intros and outros on record, tidbits of old-world knowledge delivered in a deep, mesmerising baritone.
For die-hard fans of Adderley, Swingin’ in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse (1966-1967) may not be entirely unfamiliar. A small physical and limited download release went to shelves in 2018, but the record’s induction to streaming services will see yet another crucial piece of the Cannonball puzzle finally made available for all to hear.
So sit down, cast your mind back to late ’60s Seattle, and enjoy the smooth sounds of Cannonball Adderley doing what he does best.
Swingin’ in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse (1966-1967) is out Friday 10 July via Cellar Music Group imprint Reel to Real and la reserve. Get your copy here.
