Despite the nickname, Akina Adderley is much more than “the little woman with the
big voice.” A rock/soul vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, arranger, and producer
based in Austin, Texas, Adderley’s music reflects both her modern rock ‘n roll
sensibility and her deep jazz roots. Margaret Moser (Austin Chronicle) wrote, “Jazz is
in Akina Adderley’s blood, and it flows with a warm mix of old-school soul and R&B.”
Akina’s father is acclaimed jazz pianist and arranger Nat Adderley, Jr. (long-time
bandleader for Luther Vandross), and her grandfather and granduncle were
venerated jazz musicians: cornetist Nat Adderley, Sr. and alto saxophonist Julian
“Cannonball” Adderley (Miles Davis, Kind of Blue). While their towering musical
legacy flows through her, Akina’s artistry is all her own.
Akina’s music crackles with infectious grooves and incisive lyrics, but live
performances bring that heat to a whole other level. Audiences “instantly fall for her
dynamism and her superstar performance,” says Laurie Gallardo of KUTX-FM, moved
by what the Austin American-Statesman calls her “rich, emotive pipes.” Drawing
comparisons to Tina Turner and Sharon Jones, Akina’s stage presence is captivating
and electrifying. Akina has performed across the country, sharing bills with Booker T.,
Budos Band, and Big Sam’s Funky Nation, as well as with Austin favorites Gary Clark,
Jr., Shinyribs, Bright Light Social Hour, Bob Schneider, Alejandro Escovedo, and
Carolyn Wonderland. She is a featured backing vocalist on recordings by Charlie
Mars, James McMurtry, Jackie Venson, and Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey),
among others. Akina has released two records with her 8-piece soul band, Akina
Adderley & The Vintage Playboys, two records with modern jazz group, Nori, and is
currently slow-releasing a batch of soul/rock singles under her own name. One of
these singles—her 2020 social justice anthem, “Broke”—was a featured placement
on the TV show Walker on the CW. A local Austin favorite, Akina is a Black Fret artist,
a songwriter with The House of Songs, and was honored in 2012 by the mayoral
proclamation of Akina Adderley Day in Austin.