On the 1963 Byrd album A New Perspective, Pearson arranged four tracks, including "Cristo Redentor", which became a big hit. The song, Pearson later commented, was inspired by a trip he took to Brazil while touring with Wilson.[2] Also that year, after the death of Ike Quebec, Pearson took over his position as A&R man of Blue Note.[2] From that year until 1970, Pearson was a frequent session musician and producer for numerous Blue Note albums while also recording his own albums as band leader. This was odd, since Pearson also recorded with his co-led big band with Byrd for Atlantic Records, a stipulation he made sure was in his Atlantic contract.[2] The Byrd-Pearson band consisted of musicians such as Chick Corea, Pepper Adams, Randy Brecker, and Garrnet Brown; the latter three were members also of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band that played the same night club, The Vanguard, but on different nights. Between the two ensembles, the musicians performed at their own discretion.
Pearson eventually retired from his position with Blue Note in 1971 after personnel changes were made; co-founder Alfred Lion retired in 1967 after the label was sold to Liberty Records the previous year and co-founder Frank Wolff died in 1971. Pearson opted to teach at Clark College in ’71, toured with Carmen McRae and Joe Williams through 1973, and eventually reformed his big band during that time.
He was diagnosied with multiple sclerosis in the 1970s, which he ultimately died from in 1980 at Atlanta Veterans Hospital.[2]
Upa Neguinho
Duke Pearson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upa para lá e para cá
Finge! Que coisa mais linda
Upa neguinha começando a andar.
Upa neguinho na estrada
Upa para lá e para cá
Finge! Que coisa mais linda
Começando a andar
Começando a andar.
E já começa a apanhar!
Cresce neguinho e me abraça
Cresce e me ensina a cantar.
Eu vim de tanta desgraça
Mas muito eu te posso ensinar.
Capoeira — posso ensinar.
Siquizira — posso tirar.
Valentia — posso emprestar.
A liberdade — só posso esperar.
The song Upa Neguinho by Duke Pearson is a joyful ode to a black child starting to walk. The lyrics repeat the phrase "Upa neguinho" which loosely translates to "Up, little black one" as the child is encouraged to move forward with their new skill. The repetition of the phrase creates a sense of excitement and celebration for this momentous occasion. The use of the word "finge" which means "pretend" adds an interesting layer to the song, as if the child is pretending to walk when they are actually doing it for the very first time.
As the song continues, the singer of the song addresses the child directly, telling them that they can teach him things as they grow up. The lines "Cresce neguinho e me abraça / Cresce e me ensina a cantar" express the hope that the child will grow up to be loving and expressive. The song ends on a bittersweet note as the singer speaks of the freedom that he can only hope for in the future.
Overall, Upa Neguinho is a beautiful and heartfelt song about the joy of childhood and the lessons that can be learned from each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Upa neguinho na estrada
Come on little boy, let's go on the road
Upa para lá e para cá
Up and down we go
Finge! Que coisa mais linda
Pretend! What a beautiful thing
Upa neguinha começando a andar
Little girl starting to walk
Começando a andar
Starting to walk
Começando a andar.
Starting to walk.
E já começa a apanhar!
And already starting to get a spanking!
Cresce neguinho e me abraça
Grow little boy and hug me
Cresce e me ensina a cantar.
Grow and teach me how to sing
Eu vim de tanta desgraça
I came from so much misery
Mas muito eu te posso ensinar.
But I can teach you a lot.
Capoeira — posso ensinar.
Capoeira - I can teach.
Siquizira — posso tirar.
Siquizira - I can take away.
Valentia — posso emprestar.
Bravery - I can lend.
A liberdade — só posso esperar.
Freedom - I can only hope for.
Contributed by Lillian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.