THE NAT ADDERLEY JR. TRIO
Nat Adderley Jr. (Keyboards), renowned pianist, composer, musical director, and arranger, is best known for his four decades shaping the music of Luther Vandross. His many arrangements for Vandross include “Superstar,” “Here and Now,” “So Amazing,” “If Only for One Night,” “If This World Were Mine,” “Never Too Much,” and “The Closer I Get to You” featuring Beyoncé, the Grammy Award–winning song for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals. He also composed the Grammy-nominated “Give Me the Reason.” In 2025, Adderley stepped into the spotlight with Took So Long, his debut album as a leader. His reworking of “Superstar” transforms the Vandross song from its moody aura into a vibrant Brazilian samba. Across the project, Adderley is joined by longtime collaborators and a rotating rhythm section of accomplished musicians.
Beyond his work with Vandross, he composed “The Wave” for Kirk Whalum, arranged Natalie Cole’s recording of “When I Fall in Love,” and worked extensively with Aretha Franklin, arranging her Jump to It album. As a performer, Adderley continues to lead his trio and quartet on international stages, with appearances spanning Beijing, Singapore, New York City, and beyond.
A graduate of Yale University, he continues to evolve as both an artist and bandleader, bringing his singular voice and perspective to every project.
Belden Bullock (Bass) is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Born in Boston, MA, he resides in Teaneck, NJ. Bullock has traveled the world and toured with many artists. These are some of the artists that he has performed and or recorded with during his career: Roy Haynes, George Adams, Ahmed Jamal, Oliver Lake, Andrew Hill, Abdullah Ibrahim, Grady Tate, Ralph Peterson Jr., Michael Brecker, Gloria Lynn, Lionel Hampton, James Spaulding, Frank Foster, Don Byron, Branford Marsalis, Melba Moore, Jay Hoggard, Ralph Bowen, James Weidman, Geri Allen, Greg Tardy, Talib Kibwe, Steve Wilson, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, John Stubblefield, Clifton Anderson, Bryan Carrott, Cecil Bridgewater, Wilby Fletcher, Falkner Evans, Ted Curson, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, and Sathima Bea Benjamin.
Steve Johns (Drums) For over three decades, drummer Steve Johns has been a major presence on the jazz scene, collaborating with many of the music’s most renowned practitioners. Artists from all points on the musical spectrum have consistently sought him out because they know his musicianship, versatility, deep commitment to his craft, and enthusiasm will enrich any performance. Leaders such as Nat Adderley Jr., Stanley Turrentine, Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker, Ronnie Cuber, Jimmy Owens, Dr. Billy Taylor, Benny Carter, and Sonny Fortune appreciated the fact that, no matter what the gig, from the world’s greatest concert stages to the smallest clubs, Steve brings the same total commitment, utmost professionalism, and pure joy at making music. He is also a total musician who continues to expand his musical horizons by studying piano and trumpet. Johns has appeared on over seventy albums by Leon Thomas, George Russell, Thomas Chapin, Dr. Billy Taylor, Houston Person, John McNeil, Sonny Fortune, Peter Leitch, Gary Smulyan, and Bob DeVos, among many others.
“Man, does he swing—and he has one hell of a good time doing it”—Chris Thompson, All About Jazz
