History
Construction and design
The amphitheater was originally constructed under the name of the Capital City Amphitheater. The project began in 2009 as part of the broader redevelopment of Cascades Park, a joint initiative led by the City of Tallahassee and Leon County agencies. [3] Construction was completed in 2014, and the $30-million park, featuring an outdoor performance space with seating for approximately 3,000 people, was opened to the public that year. [4]
Tribute to the Adderley Brothers
The amphitheater was renamed on January 16, 2023 to honor Tallahassee jazz musicians Julian “Cannonball” Adderley (1928–1975) and Nathaniel “Nat” Adderley (1931–2000). The Adderley brothers grew up in a musical family with their father being a renowned jazz cornetist and both parents who were professors at Florida A&M University (FAMU), which fostered their early musical development. [5] Nat played the cornet while Julian played the saxophone, and both rose to success after moving to New York City. They would later go on to play alongside prominent musicians such as Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane. The brothers’ musical legacy is primarily associated with the soul jazz subgenre of jazz. Throughout their life they returned to Tallahassee to play concerts at FAMU, and were buried at Southside Cemetery in Tallahassee. [6] In 2023, the city formally celebrated their contributions to jazz with a ceremony for the newly named Adderley Amphitheater, providing a lasting commemoration of their impact on the genre and their hometown. [7]
