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.
For Love Of Ivy
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simply because you're near me.
Funny, but when you're near me
I'm in the mood for love.
Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
Oh! Is it any wonder
Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
If there's a cloud above
If it should rain we'll let it
But for tonight, forget it!
I'm in the mood for love
The song "I'm in the Mood for Love" was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1935 and first performed by Frances Langford. The song has since become a jazz standard and has been recorded by many great artists, including Billy Eckstine. In the song, Eckstine sings about being in the mood for love simply because the person he loves is near him. He marvels at the heaven he sees in her eyes, which he compares to the stars they are under. He is not worried about their future together and will let any rain fall without concern because he is so in love.
Eckstine's interpretation of the song is powerful because of his smooth, velvety voice and the intensity with which he sings. The song is full of romantic sentiment, and Eckstine is able to convey the depth of those emotions in his performance. The way he sings about the magic and wonder of love is timeless and it's easy to see why the song has remained so popular.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the mood for love
I feel like celebrating love
Simply because you're near me.
Just being near you makes me feel happy and in love
Funny, but when you're near me
It's funny how being near you has such an effect on me
Heaven is in your eyes
I see heaven in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
The brightness of the stars we're gazing at has nothing on the brightness of your eyes
Oh! Is it any wonder
Is it any surprise that I'm feeling so in love with you?
Why stop to think of whether
Why bother thinking of whether this love will last?
This little dream might fade?
Why worry about this love fading away?
We've put our hearts together
We've joined our hearts in love
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
We are one in love and I'm not afraid of anything
If there's a cloud above
Even if there are problems or obstacles in our way
If it should rain we'll let it
We'll face them together and let them pass like rain
But for tonight, forget it!
But for tonight, let's forget about any problems and just focus on our love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RU TOCHKA MEDIA, LLC
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy Mchugh
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.
Da'chocolate conductor nelfoster u'dig from the chocolate cle city ohio
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...