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.
Tender Is the Night
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So tender is the night
There's no one in the world
Except the two of us
Should tomorrow
Find us disenchanted
We have shared a love
Summers by the sea
A sailboat in Capri
These memories shall be
Our very own
Even though our dreams may vanish
With the morning light
We loved once in splendour
How tender, how tender the night
Even though our dreams may vanish
With the morning light
We loved once in splendour
How tender, how tender the night
The song "Tender Is The Night" by Billy Eckstine describes a night of loving moments between two people. The first two lines repeat the phrase "Tender is the night" which sets the theme of the song by emphasizing the sensitivity of the night in which two people are alone. The next two lines express a feeling of seclusion between the two which suggests that they are lost in the ecstasy of each other's company.
The song's lyrics become even more beautiful as the artist explains their hopes for the future. The third and fourth lines talks about a "disenchanted" future, but they can find protection in the love shared that hardly anyone has had. The following lines touch on the remembrance of the past shared moments, which could seem like a dream yet remembering them provides comfort.
The final lines are a repetition of how everything will eventually fade at morning's light, but the memory of the love that was shared throughout the night will remain. Eckstine seems to be saying that momentary happiness can bring long term contentment which is worth reliving. The song theme is melancholic with a touch of optimism shared by the lovers throughout the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Tender is the night
The night is gentle and soothing
So tender is the night
The night is very gentle and soothing
There's no one in the world
No one else exists in the whole world
Except the two of us
Only the two of us are present
Should tomorrow
If the future
Find us disenchanted
Brings us disillusionment
We have shared a love
We have experienced love together
That few have known
Which only a few have experienced
Summers by the sea
Summertimes spent by the ocean
A sailboat in Capri
A boat in the town of Capri
These memories shall be
These recollections will remain
Our very own
Exclusively ours
Even though our dreams may vanish
Although our ambitions may disappear
With the morning light
When the sun rises
We loved once in splendour
We loved in grandeur before
How tender, how tender the night
The night was so gentle, so gentle
Lyrics © Jackson Browne/Swallow Turn Music/Night Kitchen Music/Open Window Music
Written by: PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER, SAMMY FAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
david sawtelle
My favorite song and version of it. He delivers like no other. No one else.
Jubal Calif
Wow ! Double Wow !! Triple Wow !!! What a great voice & what a beautifully lush arrangement ! THANK YOU so much for sharing this wonderful "blast from the past" with us !! :-)
david sawtelle
billy at his best!
Jubal Calif
You speak the truth, Kemo Sabe !!
Spencer Smith
Superb.