Brenda Russell is an adult-contemporary singer-songwriter that hit the musi… Read Full Bio ↴Brenda Russell is an adult-contemporary singer-songwriter that hit the music scene in 1979 with her debut album "Brenda Russell". Her sister is rumoured to be none other than, Donna Summer, the queen of Disco. The release featured her her first hit song, "So Good So Right". The story goes, it came up while washing dishes and, still wearing an apron, she rushed to the piano wrote it down. The album also featured the hit "If Only for One Night" which was later famously covered by Luther Vandross.

Brenda's greatest success came in 1988 with the release of her third album, "Get Here". It featured the hit singles "Get Here" and "Piano In The Dark". At the 31st Grammy Awards, Brenda was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female for "Get Here". "Piano In The Dark" was nominated for Song of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group (there was a duet? -- duet vocal was by Joe Esposito of Brooklyn Dreams). "Get Here" was later a huge hit covered by Oleta Adams.

Nearly all of her songs were written by herself. Some of her compositions are also performed by others like Roberta Flack, Diana Ross, Patrice Rushen, Patti Austin, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Justin Guarini, and very successfully by the aforementioned Luther Vandross and Oleta Adams.

Russell is also a chief songwriter and lyricist for the hit Broadway musical "The Color Purple". In 2005 she saw a Broadway musical version of Alice Walker's The Color Purple. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, the show's score is written by Russell and lyricists-composers Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Russell and her co-writers were nominated for a Tony Award (for Best Score) and a Grammy Award (in the Best Musical Show Album category).

It's A Jazz Day
Brenda Russell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Metheny morning and a Whalum afternoon
It′s a jazz day
It's a jazz day

Tea with Thelonious, Yellowjacket moon
It′s a jazz day
It's a jazz day
Kickin' it my way

It′s a jazz day

Sanborn sky, bought a fare
To take me for a little ride
Steam, swing down my old, sweet sorrow

Mingus this, Mingus that
Johnny showed me where it′s at
I'll be good until tomorrow
Oh, oh

Elle é bella, simply, simple that
It′s a jazz day
It's a jazz day

Dizzy with ecstasy, chillin with the cats
It′s a jazz day
It's a jazz day
It′s a jazz day

Banz just sends me into a love dance
Wash my hair, paint my toes
I love the way the music flows
Sets the mood for this evening's romance

Metheny morning and a Whalum afternoon
It's a jazz day
It′s a jazz day

Tea with Thelonious, Yellowjacket moon
It′s a jazz day
It's a jazz day
Kickin′ it my way
It's a jazz day

Count me in
Duke it out
Count me in
Duke it out
It′s a jazz day
For Etta, the better

Count me in
Smile for Miles

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brenda Russell's song "It's A Jazz Day" paint a vivid picture of a day immersed in the world of jazz music. The song highlights the various elements of jazz that create a unique experience, from the artists mentioned such as Pat Metheny and Kirk Whalum to the atmosphere set by the Yellowjacket moon. The lyrics express a love and appreciation for the genre of jazz, as the singer navigates their day with the sounds of jazz as their guide.

The song opens with a Metheny morning and Whalum afternoon, referencing the musical styles of Pat Metheny and Kirk Whalum. The mention of "Tea with Thelonious" and the "Yellowjacket moon" set the scene of an idyllic jazz day, surrounded by jazz legends such as Thelonious Monk and Yellowjackets. The lyrics express the feeling of being in a state of ecstasy, surrounded by cats and the music of Dizzy Gillespie, and "kickin' it my way" in a jazz-filled atmosphere.

The lyrics also allude to the idea that jazz is timeless and can transport the listener to another time and place. The lyrics reference the likes of Charlie Mingus and Johnny, embodying the classic jazz scene of old. The singer is content to enjoy the music for the day but acknowledges that it will eventually come to an end. Overall, the lyrics impress upon the listener the joy, passion, and appreciation for jazz music.

Line by Line Meaning

Metheny morning and a Whalum afternoon
Starting my day off with some jazz guitar from Pat Metheny and shifting into some saxophone with Kirk Whalum as the day goes on - it's a jazz-filled day.

Tea with Thelonious, Yellowjacket moon
Enjoying some tea with one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Thelonious Monk, under a Yellowjacket moon - it's a perfect jazz day.

Kickin' it my way
Enjoying the jazz day in my own way, relaxing and immersing myself in the music without any worries or cares.

Sanborn sky, bought a fare
Taking a flight to enjoy the beautiful Sanborn sky, taking in some bright and clear jazz sounds while looking down on earth from a height.

To take me for a little ride
Exploring the world with jazz - it takes me on a ride of sweet sounds and rhythms that lift me up and take me away from reality for a little while.

Steam, swing down my old, sweet sorrow
Letting the steamy and swingy sound of jazz wipe away my old, sweet sorrows and fill my soul with joy and hope.

Mingus this, Mingus that
Listening to different songs and recordings by jazz legend Charles Mingus, exploring his music in depth to appreciate his contribution to jazz.

Johnny showed me where it's at
Learning more about jazz and where its greatness lies through the perspective of other experienced jazz lovers, like Johnny.

I'll be good until tomorrow
Feeling so good and carefree from the magic of jazz that I know it's going to last until tomorrow - I am content and satisfied with this moment.

Elle é bella, simply, simple that
Describing how jazz is beautiful in a simple, straightforward manner - it's undeniable how great this music is.

Dizzy with ecstasy, chillin with the cats
Feeling dizzy and ecstatic from the incredible jazz sounds and chilling with fellow jazz lovers, who are sometimes referred to as the 'cats.'

Banz just sends me into a love dance
The romantic sound of Banzai band's jazz music makes me want to just dance with someone I love - it's that intoxicating.

Wash my hair, paint my toes
Taking care of mundane everyday tasks while enjoying jazz, like washing your hair and painting your toes, is totally normal and lovely.

I love the way the music flows
Admiring how jazz music flows free-form and yet always feels cohesive and perfect - it's a unique characteristic of this genre of music.

Sets the mood for this evening's romance
Jazz music is great at setting the mood for a romantic evening, creating a relaxed and loving atmosphere that you can't help but fall into.

Count me in
Wanting to be a part of jazz culture and the jazz community, from the casual listener to the most hardcore jazz enthusiast.

Duke it out
Enjoying some classic Duke Ellington jazz, and appreciating the musical talent and mastery behind its popularity.

For Etta, the better
In honor of legendary blues and jazz singer Etta James, recognizing how jazz can be used to express and heal from personal struggles and pain.

Smile for Miles
Smiling as far and wide as jazz's influence on the world, recognizing how jazz can improve people's lives and bring them happiness.

It's a jazz day
Jazz is the main focus of today's enjoyment and celebration, a genre of music that is perfect for any day and any mood.

Writer(s): Brenda Russell

Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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