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.
Tenderly
Billy Eckstine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The trembling trees embraced the breeze tenderly
Then you and I came wandering by
And lost in a sigh were we
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
I can't forget how two hearts met breathlessly
Your arms opened wide and closed me inside
You took my lips, you took my love so tenderly
The lyrics to Billy Eckstine's song "Tenderly" are a heartfelt expression of the tender, intimate moments shared between two lovers. The song begins with a description of the evening breeze caressing the trees gently, which speaks to the peaceful and serene environment surrounding the couple. When the two lovers enter the scene, they are immediately caught in a sigh of tenderness that encapsulates their feelings for each other.
As the couple walks along the shore, they are met with the kiss of the sea and the mist. This moment, along with the previous references to nature, further emphasizes the purity and innocence of the love shared between the two individuals. The lyrics then turn to the physical embrace between the two, where the singer describes being taken in by their lover's arms and lips - a moment that was tender and loving. Overall, the lyrics to "Tenderly" are a beautiful representation of a couple's connection and the tenderness they share with one another.
Line by Line Meaning
The evening breeze caressed the trees tenderly
The gentle wind moved across the branches in a calming manner
The trembling trees embraced the breeze tenderly
The trees swayed back and forth gracefully as they received the breeze
Then you and I came wandering by
You and I happened upon this scene by chance
And lost in a sigh were we
We were overwhelmed with emotion and sighed deeply
The shore was kissed by sea and mist tenderly
The waves softly touched the sand and the mist gently settled over the water
I can't forget how two hearts met breathlessly
I will always remember the moment when our hearts first raced with excitement and anticipation
Your arms opened wide and closed me inside
You embraced me fully, wrapping your arms around me in a tight hug
You took my lips, you took my love so tenderly
We shared a tender and loving kiss, expressing our deep affection for one another
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jack Lawrence, Walter Gross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MickTheQuickk
This is perfection! One of the greatest singers of all time singing a classic of the Great American Songbook.
somefavs
Absolutely! They played this song behind the credits of some movie I was watching a few years ago and I wept at the beauty of it. That's when I uploaded it to Youtube. For others to feel it too. I'm so glad you enjoyed it Mick.
Sonia Vasques
Só ouvindo...para sempre...Ainda lembro de ouvir e ver no RJ . Muito bom.
leonard Polito
what a voice,style and elegance.
Jan Cheema
Well said. May 1 2022. Sunday... in car sunroof open ... chillin with 90 Mom... while she hums to the song.
somefavs
+leonard Polito
I'm with you Lenonard!
Piera Bergamaschi
Bellissima canzone, che ricordi!!! Bellissima voce profonda. Ottimo piano...che musica...il jazz !!!👏💙💟😄
Who Dat Superbowl Queen
Just beautiful! I love his voice!
somefavs
Right? I don't know what it is about his voice and, in this song that goes so deep. Glad you enjoyed it.
Maria Ilza pires
Maravilhoso fui para o céu obrigada Deus proteja e abençoe sempre