Bostic was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He turned professional at age 18 when he joined Terrence Holder's band. He made his first recording with Lionel Hampton in 1942 where he played along with Red Allen, J.C. Higginbotham, Sid Catlett, Teddy Wilson and Hampton. Before that he performed with Fate Marable on New Orleans riverboats. Bostic graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans. He worked with territory bands as well as Arnett Cobb, Hot Lips Page, Rex Stewart, Don Byas, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk and other jazz luminaries. He formed his own band in 1945, and turned to rhythm and blues in the late 1940s. His biggest hits were "Temptation," "Sleep," "Flamingo," "You Go to My Head" and "Cherokee." At various times his band included Jaki Byard, John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Tommy Turrentine, Keter Betts, Sir Charles Thompson, Teddy Edwards, Tony Scott, Benny Carter and other musicians who rose to prominence in jazz. Bostic held his musicians to a high standard and demanded that they read music faultlessly. He was influenced by the great Sidney Bechet. John Coltrane in turn was influenced by Earl Bostic. James Moody said that Bostic was the chief influence on John Coltrane. Moody mentioned that "Bostic knew his instrument inside out, back to front and upside down."
His virtuosity is documented in records such as Up There In Orbit, Earl's Imagination, Apollo Theater Jump, All On, Artistry by Bostic, Telestar Drive, Liza, Lady Be Good and Tiger Rag. Bostic was a master of the blues and he used this skill in a variety of musical settings. Although Bostic recorded many commercial albums, some notable jazz based exceptions on the King label include Bostic Rocks Hits of the Swing Age, Jazz As I Feel It and A New Sound.
Bostic's King album titled Jazz As I Feel It featured Shelly Manne on drums, Joe Pass on guitar and Groove Holmes on organ. Bostic recorded the King Album "A New Sound" about one month later again, featuring Holmes and Pass. These recordings allowed Bostic to stretch out beyond the 3 minute limit imposed by the 45 RPM format. Bostic was pleased with the sessions which highlight his total mastery of the blues but they also foreshadowed musical advances that were later evident in the work of John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy.
He wrote arrangements for Paul Whiteman, Louis Prima, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Jack Teagarden and Alvino Rey.
Bostic's signature hit, "Flamingo" was recorded in 1951 and remains a favorite among followers of Carolina Beach Music in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Their style of Beach Music is heavily influenced by Rhythm-and-Blues music from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Bostic recorded for Cincinnati-based King Records, a small label that was well known for releasing "R and B" and Bluegrass records. In fact, the biggest star on the King label was "the Godfather of Soul", James Brown. Bostic was also popular among R&B and jazz followers in the United Kingdom, thanks to his records that were released on the Parlophone label.
Bostic died from a heart attack in Rochester, New York, while performing with his band in 1965. His widow, Hildegarde, was still living in San Francisco as of the mid-1990s.
Beyond the Blue Horizon
Earl Bostic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waits a beautiful day
Goodbye to things that bore me
Joy is waiting for me
I see a new horizon
My life has only begun
Beyond the blue da-dum, dee-dum
Beyond the blue horizon
Waits a beautiful day
Goodbye to things that bore me
Joy is waiting for me
I see a new horizon
My life has only begun
Beyond the blue horizon
Lies a rising sun
Beyond the blue horizon
Waits the beautiful day
Goodbye to things that bore me
Joy is waiting for me
I see a new horizon
My life has only begun
Beyond the blue horizon
Lies a rising sun
Beyond the blue horizon
Lies a rising sun
Beyond the blue horizon
Waits a beautiful day
Da-da, bum, da, bum,
Joy is waiting for me
I see a new horizon
The lyrics to Earl Bostic's song "Beyond the Blue Horizon" express a sense of hope and positivity. The blue horizon represents the limits of the singer's past experiences and the things that have held them back. They are saying goodbye to these things and looking forward to a beautiful day filled with joy.
The singer sees a new horizon and believes that their life has only just begun. They are excited about what lies ahead and the potential for new experiences and growth. The rising sun represents the promise of a new day and a new beginning.
Overall, the lyrics to "Beyond the Blue Horizon" encourage listeners to embrace change and look towards the future with optimism and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue horizon
The sight of a blue horizon in the distance.
Waits a beautiful day
A new and beautiful day lies ahead, full of possibilities.
Goodbye to things that bore me
Leaving behind things that no longer bring happiness or excitement.
Joy is waiting for me
Anticipation of finding happiness and fulfillment in the new day.
I see a new horizon
Looking forward towards the future with hope and optimism.
My life has only begun
Realizing that there is still much to discover and experience in life.
Beyond the blue da-dum, dee-dum
The emotional feeling of heading towards a new and exciting future.
Lies a rising sun
The promise of new beginnings and opportunities.
Da-da, bum, da, bum,
Accentuation of the anticipation and excitement of what is to come.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leo Robin, W. Franke Harling, Richard Whiting
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wyndhl eodumegwu
This is ORGANIC JAZZ which is smooth, cool, relaxing and well structured.
I adore Earl's tonal quality.
EB:Rest In Paradise!
Yves Francois Ritmo
I love the strings added here, Earl could play anything
Autumn Leaves
Gorgeous. What a tone Earl Bostic had. Sadly yet another jazz musician who died far too soon.
heliosium
Fine music, thanks very much !
SELMER B.Action
Great Bostic