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Band arranger and FAMU Department of Music Chairman Lindsey B. Sarjeant stated, “Cannonball and Nat always credited FAMU for their musical development. Not only are we preserving their legacy here at FAMU, we are building a program to help prepare our students for successful careers as professional musicians and entrepreneurs just like the Adderley brothers.” Sarjeant was also instrumental in a project that renamed Cascades Park Amphitheater the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park.
The university’s board of trustees approved Julian “Cannonball” and Nat Adderley Music Institute as the program’s new name during a meeting held late last year. It marked the first time FAMU named an academic program after specific individuals. Music Industry Studies Director“The Adderley’s name is synonymous with musical excellence and social progress,” Tookes noted. “Their name brings a global vision to our music program that will help change the world, especially from a musical perspective.
“We are so excited to honor the Adderley family in this way,” said Valencia E. Matthes, dean of the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities during her closing remarks. “When we honor the Adderley’s, we are honoring FAMU.”