Jazz in the Loft Nat Adderley, Jr. Quartet

Arranger and pianist Nathaniel Adderley Jr. spent much of his career arranging as music director for Luther Vandross tours and co-wrote most of Vandross’ albums. His father Nat Adderley was a composer and cornet & trumpet player; his uncle Cannonball Adderley, a legendary alto saxophonist. Adderley started playing piano as a child and, when he was 11 years old, had his first song “I’m on My Way” recorded by Cannonball on the 1967 album Why Am I Treated So Bad! Adderley first met Vandross while attending the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. He later graduated from Yale University with a degree in African American studies. Adderley cites his influences as Chick Corea, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. His compositions for Vandross include “Stop to Love,” “Wait for Love,” “Make Me a Believer,” “Other Side of The World,” and “Give Me the Reason,” which earned a Grammy nomination. His arrangements for Luther include “Superstar,” “Here and Now,” “So Amazing,” “If Only for One Night,” “If This World Were Mine,” “There’s Nothing Better Than Love,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” and “Never Too Much.” He has written, arranged & produced for a number of iconic artists over the years, including Kirk Whalum, Natalie Cole, Johnny Gill, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Lynne, and The Temptations.