Cannonball's talented brother Nat passed away Sunday ending another chapter in the history of jazz. Known for his distinctive cornet playing, Nat helped defined the sound of gospel jazz in 1960's. Their quintet produced hits such as "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and "Work Sound"

Nat grandson, Nat Jr. is a pianist living in Austin. In the 1980's, he was based out of Houston, performing regularly with vocalist (and owner of the Sky Bar) Scott Gertner.

What follows is Nat's All-Music Guide biography:

Nat Adderley's cornet (which in its early days was strongly influenced by Miles Davis) was always a complementary voice to his brother Cannonball in their popular quintet. His career ran parallel to his older brother for quite some time. Nat took up trumpet in 1946, switched to cornet in 1950 and spent time in the military, playing in an Army band during 1951-53. After a period with Lionel Hampton (1954-55), Nat made his recording debut in 1955, joined Cannonball's unsuccessful quintet of 1956-57 and then spent periods with the groups of J.J. Johnson and Woody Herman before hooking up with Cannonball again in Oct. 1959. This time the group became a major success and Nat remained in the quintet until Cannonball's death in 1975, contributing such originals as "Work Song," "Jive Samba" and "The Old Country" along with many exciting hard bop solos. Nat Adderley, who was at the peak of his powers in the early to mid-'60s and became adept at playing solos that dipped into the subtone register of his horn, has led his own quintets since Cannonball's death; his most notable sidemen were altoists Sonny Fortune (in the early '80s) and Vincent Herring. Although his own playing has declined somewhat (Adderley's chops no longer have the endurance of his earlier days), Nat has continued recording worthwhile sessions. Many but not all of his recordings through the years (for such labels as Savoy, EmArcy, Riverside, Jazzland, Atlantic, Milestone, A&M, Capitol, Prestige, SteepleChase, Galaxy, Theresa, In & Out, Landmark, Evidence, Enja, Timeless, Jazz Challenge and Chiaroscuro) are currently available. ~ Scott Yanow, All-Music Guide

Jazz Forum posts about Nat's death.