During 2008 and 2009, we have been looking to develop our group sound and feel. We concluded a great way to do this is to collectively study and album or era or way of playing. Deciding on the early career of Cannonball Adderley it was a no brainer – a classic Jazz quintet with a unique swing feel and style.

We were fascinated by the urgency in the time feel of Cannonball’s quintet and the unrelenting swing present in all his music. We also felt Cannonball has been overlooked in terms of his contribution to Jazz and his place as a political voice. Moreover, we were looking for a set of material that could fit into some of the more conservative Jazz clubs and festivals aroung the UK whilst still deveolping us as musicians.

Like the Out ‘n’ In project, we focussed on a handful of recordings – particularly ‘The Cannonball Adderley Quintet Live at the Lighthouse’ (Riverside 1960). Subsequently we checked a lot of Cannonballs recordings in order to prepare material for the projects catalyst gig – a Saturday night at Pizza Express Dean Street. The gig was to mark cannonballs 80th year.

Following the success of performing some well known repertoire alongside some lesser known tunes played by the quintet, we continued the tribute in September 2008 at Ronnie Scott’s supporting Guy Barker. Unfortunately Kit was ill, but fortunately we were privileged to be joined by pianist and Cannonball expert Leon Greening.

The band learnt much through Leon’s passion, his knowledge of the music and his relentless swing feel, so the project continued with a performance at the Terry O’Toole theatre in Lincoln. Following the lineup change in late 2008, we invited trumpeter Mark Crown to perform with us for this gig. The gig was a success and the backstage hang with Leon’s Dad was aweseome – a true Jazz fan who had seen so many of our heroes play back in the day!

Having not performed Nat’s arrangement Jive Samba since the first gig, we wanted to include it once again in the set. To give it relevance, we decided to arrange some of the other repertoire to start to reflect our voice. To show what we had learnt from studying the music and also our musical personalities.

We welcomed pianist and composer George Fogel into the wider Empirical team from May 2009. We had been playing on adn off for about 6 months, and wanted his talents to be a feature of this project. George devised a piece based on Cannonball’s speaking. This composition has become the keystone of the set.

Our first performance of the fully realised project, was at the Purcell room May 2009. We showcased both the Out ‘n’ In project and the Walk Tall set back to back to a capacity audience.

Shortly after, the project was performed as part of the Bath International Festival. This was to mark the beginning of our collaboration with DJ/broadcaster/writer and legend Kevin LeGendre. Kevin had prepared a talk, discussing Cannonballs life and music, and it’s political importance. A crazy day – we performed Walk Tall in the afternoon and hot footed it to Support Branford Marsalis with Out ‘n’ In.

The collaboration proved to be a real success and the project was booked to be performed as part of the 2009 Brecon Jazz Festival. This date was the first with trumpeter Freddie Gavita, who’s inclusion has helped develop the music further. The gig sold out!

It was late Aug when the project was last performed as part of the 2009 Hull Jazz Festival at the marvellous new Hull Truck theatre. Another sold out room! Pianist Ivo Neame stood in for George (hanging in New York at the time), and did an incredible job.