FAMU Concert Celebrates Unveiling of Julian “Cannonball” and Nathaniel “Nat” Adderley Music Institute

It was a night worthy of a celebration for two jazz icons, Julian “Cannonball” and Nathaniel “Nat” Adderley and the academic program named in their honor.

The concert celebrating The Julian “Cannonball” and Nathanial “Nat” Adderley Music Institute was held at Lee Hall Auditorium on Thursday, April 18. The event featured the 20-member FAMU Jazz Ensemble, a tight group of saxophonists, trumpeters, trombonists, vocalists, guitarists, drummers, and percussionists. Their sound was like a big band orchestra as they played jazz classics like “The Heats On” and “Three And One.”

After the intermission, special guests shared the stage, giving the iconic night an air of history and magic.

Nat Adderley, Jr., on piano, joined Music Institute Director Darryl Tookes, on vocals, to take the audience back to “The Old Country.”

Music masters – trumpeter and FAMU music professor Longineu Parsons, Jazz Studies Director Robert Griffin on trombone and pianist Music Department Chair Lindsey B. Sarjeant also shared the stage for tunes like “One For Daddy O,” “Hummin” and “Jeannine.” Adjunct Professor Joe Goldberg, a saxophonist, was featured on “I worship You.”

The two-hour concert followed the unveiling of a plaque at the Foster-Tanner Music Building for the newly created Adderley Music Institute, established following approval by the FAMU Board of Trustees in December 2023. It marked the first time FAMU has named an academic program for specific individuals.  The two jazz icons graduated from FAMU before making their mark on the uniquely American genre.

 

The goal is to elevate the FAMU program to its true status of international recognition as a training place for future generations of musicians, executives, managers, publishers, agents, recording engineers, producers, artists, songwriters, and impresarios. The mission of the Julian “Cannonball” and Nathaniel “Nat” Adderley Music Institute is to propel the program upward to the highest echelons of Music Business programs – a level befitting the legacy of these celebrated musicians from FAMU.

During the unveiling ceremony, President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said the Adderley brothers’ names rightfully belong on the University’s topnotch music program.  

“Congratulations to the family on this well-deserved naming. Long before we came up with the slogan, the Adderley brothers indicated, in a concrete way, that you can indeed get anywhere from FAMU. We are so proud of them for doing so,” Robinson said to applause from an appreciative gathering. “This music program is second to none in the nation. They knew that being a good musician was not enough. They did that and a whole lot more. They will be part of the FAMU story forever.”

Nat Adderley’s son, Nat Jr., a renowned pianist in his own right, and his sister, Alison Adderley, both expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the recognition bestowed on their father and uncle.

“This an incredible honor,” said the economics professor at Valencia College. She said no matter what kind of accolades and awards her father and uncle received; this one was special.

“This is their home,” she said. “They would be incredibly honored. They are looking down just utterly astounded.”

College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (CSSAH) Dean Valencia E. Matthews, Ph.D., said the establishment of the Institute reflects her college’s special place in the University.

“We are conscience of the academy; we are the keepers of the culture; we are protectors of freedom; and we are the ambassadors of creativity,” Matthews said. “Today is just a manifestation of that truth and that proclamation.”