Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, The Winans, Olivia Newton-John, The Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others. In addition to numerous appearances at clubs and jazz festivals, Albright had also been a part of the popular Jazz Explosion tours, which saw him teaming up with contemporary jazz stars like Will Downing, Jonathan Butler, Hugh Masekela, Chaka Khan, and Rachelle Ferrell, to name a few.
Gerald Albright has also branched out as a TV Star to his already substantial resume. The saxman has appeared on numerous shows, such as “A Different World,” “Melrose Place,” Channels 2 and 5 “Morning News Shows,” “BET” jazz segments as well as piloting a show in Las Vegas with “Designing Women” star Meshach Taylor.
Albright's contemporary and straight-ahead collections have established the Los Angeles-based musician as one of the most prominent artists. Indeed, Albright was one of the ten featured saxophonists who performed at President Clinton’s inauguration. He was also featured at the Presidential Summit, as well as several private functions for the President.
Albright had sold over 1,000,000 albums in the U.S. alone. His self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum programming, and background vocals. Gerald has definitely earned the reputation as the “musician’s musician.”
Besides music, Albright is also a family man. He is married to his junior high school sweetheart, Glynis, and has two children, Selina and Brandon. He believes in giving back to the community. He has participated in numerous fund-raisers for the NAACP, The American Cancer Society, and The Institute for Black Parenting. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he constantly donates his talents to raise funds to promote academic excellence nationwide.
Whether he is playing contemporary or straight-ahead jazz, Albright stands in a class all by himself. He is known for his swiftness on stage, his unique round sound which is percussive yet soulful. He has the ability to surprise the audience with something out of the ordinary. Albright gives his audience what they come for - a great show!
Born in Los Angeles, Albright began piano lessons at an early age, even though he professed no great interest in the instrument. His love of music picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that belonged to his piano teacher. It was further reinforced when he attended Locke High School, a breeding ground for many young West Coast musicians, where his peers at the time included Patrice Rushen and Ndugu.
Already a polished saxophonist by the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, Albright suddenly switched to bass guitar after he saw Louis Johnson in concert A few months after graduating from college, Gerald joined Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band, in which he played the saxophone. Later, when the bass player left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass guitar. From then on, he often performed on both instruments.
Soon, Albright began to make a name for himself as a sideman of great insight and musicianship, playing on albums by a wide variety of artists -- including Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, Olivia Newton-John, the Temptations and Maurice White. He also toured extensively with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, the Winans, Marlena Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others.
With 9 CDs under his belt and one collaboration CD, Albright has definitely gained his place in the music world as a player, songwriter and producer.
The Nearness Of You
Gerald Albright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you and your magic pass by
My heart's in a dither dear
When you're at a distance
But when you are near, oh my
Its not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me,
Its just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation,
Oh no
Its just the nearness of you
When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams
Came true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right
To hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you.
The lyrics of Gerald Albright's song The Nearness Of You convey the overwhelming feeling of being enamored by someone's mere presence. The first verse describes how the singer completely loses his composure when the person he is attracted to passes by. His heart skips a beat, and he forgets all control he has to resist. However, when the person is near him, he is content and at peace.
The second verse is about how it's not the appearance or conversation of the person that excites him, but just the fact that they are close to him. The lyrics describe a feeling of surrender that comes over the singer when the person he is attracted to is in his arms. He feels as though all his desires are fulfilled; he no longer needs the soft lights or other romantic gestures to enchant him. As long as he can hold the person close and feel their nearness, that is all he needs.
Albright's lyrics could be interpreted as a love letter to the person he desires. It's clear that the singer is consumed by his attraction, and even the slightest proximity to the other person sends him into a frenzy. The lyrics speak to the power that someone's presence can have over another person's emotions and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I just wither and forget all resistance
When you come close, I cannot resist your charm and tend to forget all the resistance I have in myself.
When you and your magic pass by
You have a magical effect on me, and it happens when you pass by me.
My heart's in a dither dear
My heart beats rapidly with excitement when you're around.
When you're at a distance
When you're not close by, I still feel nervous and restless.
But when you are near, oh my
However, when you are near me, I feel ecstatic and overwhelmed with joy.
Its not the pale moon that excites me
The sight of the moon doesn't excite me as much as you do.
That thrills and delights me, Oh no
It's your presence that excites, thrills, and delights me, not the moon.
Its just the nearness of you
It's just the fact that you're close to me that gives me joy, comfort, and a sense of security.
It isn't your sweet conversation
Your sweet words don't have the same effect on me as your proximity does.
That brings this sensation, Oh no
It's not your words, but your physical presence that brings this overwhelming sensation in me.
When you're in my arms
When you're in my embrace, my heart feels content and my worries melt away.
And I feel you so close to me
I feel the warmth and tenderness of your affection when you're so close to me.
All my wildest dreams
Being with you makes all my deepest desires come true.
Came true
I feel complete and fulfilled when I'm with you.
I need no soft lights to enchant me
I don't need any external source to mesmerize me when I'm around you.
If you'll only grant me the right
If you give me the opportunity and allow me to be close to you, I will feel content and happy.
To hold you ever so tight
I want to embrace you tightly and never let go.
And to feel in the night
I want to be with you, feeling your love and comfort, even in the darkest times.
The nearness of you
Your nearness gives me immense joy, peace, and happiness, which I can't explain.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles Poston
Will Downing's voice is unmistakable, unforgettable, and unmatched by any other male artist.
Avril Johannisen
Charles Poston
Shamara Britt
Charles Poston well said
Sister Of Light
Charles Poston, I agree.
Louis Parra
Amazing arrangements & if course Will interpretation is flawless ! Johnny Hartman would even love it !, oh & how could someone click thumbs down???, what planet they from? Lol
TeeDee215
This song takes me to that smooth, silky place in my mind.
Jmunny Rulz
No one, I mean no one touches the rendition of this classic like Will Downing, no one, hear me?
Wildflower3
Love it still ❤️❤️❤️
Don Roberts
Great Collection of powerful feelings ; I will take that dance with you !
dl ynn
what a great song!!!