Despite the nickname, Akina Adderley is much more than “the little woman with the big voice.” A rock/soul/jazz vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, arranger, and educator 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. 

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 released two records with her 8-piece soul band, Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys, a batch of soul/rock singles under her own name, and four records as the co-writer and lead vocalist of alt. jazz group, Nori (twice nominated for Best Jazz in the Austin Chronicle Music Awards).

These days, Akina keeps busy as front-person to Nori and to her eponymous project, background vocal session singer, voice teacher, Performing Arts Director at Griffin School, Recording Academy member, and mama.