Album Review: Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley

Jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson's 1962 collaboration with alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, the album Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley, is a renowned jazz album that belongs in every record collection. Wilson’s colorful and graceful singing of some lesser known repertoire from the standard songbook is a refreshing and soulful treat for anyone interested in jazz singing. Adderley’s uniquely blithe melodies add a counterpoint to the vocals that has helped this album stand the test of time.

Nancy Wilson, born in 1937 in Chillicothe, Ohio, moved to New York in 1959 at the behest of Cannonball Adderley, whom she had met while singing with the local Rhythm and Blues-inspired Rusty Bryant big band. In a Cinderella story that testifies to her precocious talent, was signed to Capitol Records within six weeks of her arrival in the Big Apple.

Soon after signing with Capitol, Wilson and Adderley went into the studio to record Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley, which has become a classic jazz album, much loved by vocalists and instrumentalists alike. Wilson’s voice on the album is amazingly diverse, ranging from soft near-whispers to soulful, full-volume climaxes. Her delivery of every song is smart, confident, and joyful. A highlight of the album is her delivery of “The Masquerade is Over,” on which her quiet and subtle command of the heartbreak in the lyrics gives way to a triumphant ending: her R&B-tinged rendering of the end of this song is unforgettable.

The lasting success of Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley is in part due to the prominent role played by the rhythm section, comprising Cannonball’s brother, cornetist Nat Adderley, Joe Zawinul on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums. Most of the tunes feature tight and witty arrangements of the songs, with integrated rhythmic figures between the rhythm section and the horns, improvised responses to the vocals, and great jazz solos.

The band doesn’t simply back up the singer, but offers its own bustling contributions to the overall happy and bouncy character of the album. Cannonball Adderley was at this point already a star, having joined Miles Davis’ celebrated sextet in 1957. After leaving Davis’ group in 1960, Cannonball formed his own acclaimed quintet that featured each of the other musicians on the album. The five instrumental tracks on the album present the quintet at some of its best.

For anyone looking for a great classic album to add to his or her collection, Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderleyis highly recommended. Though it will impress any vocal jazz fan, the album is great for anyone with a serious or casual interested in jazz, rhythm and blues, and/or soul music.

Release Date:

1961 on Capitol Records

Personnel:

• Nancy Wilson – Vocals
• Cannonball Adderley – Alto Saxophone
• Nat Adderley – Cornet
• Joe Zawinul – Piano
• Sam Jones – Bass
• Louis Hayes – Drums

Track List:

1. Save Your Love for Me
2. Never Will I Marry
3. The Old Country
4. Happy Talk
5. The Masquerade is Over
6. A Sleepin’ Bee
7. Little Unhappy Boy
8. Teaneck
9. I Can’t Get Started
10. One Man’s Dream
11. Never Say Yes
12. Unit 7