Eckstine was an American jazz singer and bandleader who also played trumpet, valve trombone, and guitar. He also performed briefly as Billy X. Stine. His nickname was Mr. B. Although best known as a singer, his openness to new music made him a strong influence on modern jazz, particularly bebop, as he gave employment to many of the musicians who founded the style.
After singing with the Earl Hines band from 1939 to 1943 he led his own band from 1944 to 1947. The band featured at various times a large number of rising jazz stars, including:
Saxophones: Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Lucky Thompson, Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray, Budd Johnson, Leo Parker
Trumpets: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Fats Navarro
Drums: Art Blakey
Singers: Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan
Eckstine later formed an octet, then went solo, becoming a popular ballad singer while remaining an important figure in jazz. His huge, distinctive baritone made him one of the first African American singers to have mainstream success. He was the composer of the blues classic "Jelly, Jelly" and also recorded the R&B top hit "Stormy Monday Blues" in 1942 (not to be confused with T-Bone Walker's 1947 "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad)"). Most of his success as a singer came with ballads, including "Everything I have is Yours", "Blue Moon", "Caravan," "Prisoner of Love," "You Go to My Head," and "That Old Black Magic". His last hit was "Passing Strangers", a duet with Sarah Vaughan released in 1957.
Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. He designed and patented a high roll collar that formed a B over a Windsor-knotted tie, which became known as a Mr. B. Collar. In addition to looking cool, the collar expanded and contracted without popping open, which allowed his neck to swell while playing his horns. The collars were worn by many a hipster in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
In 1984, Eckstine recorded his final album, I Am A Singer, featuring beautiful ballads arranged and conducted by Angelo DiPippo.
April In Paris
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holiday tables under the moon
April in Paris, this is a feeling
No one can ever reprise
I never knew the charm of spring
Never met it face to face
I never knew my heart could sing
April in Paris, whom could I turn to
What have you done to my heart
I never knew the charm of spring
Never met it face to face
I never knew my heart could sing
Never missed a warm embrace, till
April in Paris, whom could I turn to
What have you done to my heart
The song "April In Paris" by Billy Eckstine is a timeless classic that has been covered by many artists over the years. It is a romantic ballad that beautifully captures the feeling of springtime in Paris. The first verse describes the beautiful landscape of Paris in April with chestnuts blossoming and holiday tables set under the moon. The second verse expresses the singer's newfound appreciation for spring, and how it has opened up his heart and exposed him to new emotions that he had never experienced before. He wonders who he could turn to in this state of vulnerability because he has never felt this way before. The chorus repeats the phrase "April In Paris" and the final verse ends with a question asking what Paris has done to his heart, implying that the beauty of Paris has moved him in a way that he never thought possible.
Line by Line Meaning
April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom
The city of Paris in April, with flowers blooming from the trees.
Holiday tables under the moon
Tables set up outside under the moon for people to come together and celebrate holidays.
April in Paris, this is a feeling
A sense of joy and wonder that comes from being in Paris in April.
No one can ever reprise
It's an experience that can never be replicated.
I never knew the charm of spring
The artist had never experienced the beauty and magic of the spring season before.
Never met it face to face
The singer had never seen spring in person before.
I never knew my heart could sing
The singer had never felt such joy and happiness before.
Never missed a warm embrace, till
The artist had never realized the value of a warm embrace until experiencing it.
April in Paris, whom could I turn to
The artist feels overwhelmed by his emotions and has no one to turn to for support.
What have you done to my heart
The experience of being in Paris in April has had a profound effect on the artist's heart and emotions.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: E. Y. Harburg, Vernon Duke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Zoohowza
on Jelly, Jelly
The “meaning” of Jelly Jelly seems to have been written by ChatGPT. Surely “jelly”, like “jelly roll” was intended in this song to refer to sex/genitalia, and not something to spread on toast.
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on Kiss Of Fire
Absolutely Absolutely Absolutely Amazing Grace his voice was"GOD"gift to us class jazz lovers listeners u'dig now can you dig dat baby,baby from da'conductor nelfoster from chocolate cle city ohio chocolate rocks...