Critic Alex Henderson writes, "Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to came to down-home blues, sexy ballads, and up-tempo aggression."
An accomplished dancer and pianist, he switched to tenor sax as his primary instrument in his early 20s, and quickly earned a reputation as a promising player. His recording career started in 1940, with the Barons of Rhythm.
Later on, he recorded or performed with Frankie Newton, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Trummy Young, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins. Between 1944 and 1951, he worked intermittently with Cab Calloway. He recorded for Blue Note records in this era, and also served as a talent scout for the label (helping pianists Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell come to wider attention) and, due to his exceptional sight reading skills, was an uncredited impromptu arranger for many Blue Note sessions.
Due in part to struggles with drug addiction (but also due to the fading popularity of big band music), Quebec recorded only sporadically during the 1950s, though he still performed regularly. He kept abreast on new developments in jazz, and his later playing incorportated elements of hard bop and soul jazz.
In 1959 he began a what amounted to a comeback with a series of albums on the Blue Note label. Blue Note executive Alfred Lion was always fond of Quebec's music, but was unsure how audiences would respond to the saxophonist after a decade of low visibility. In the mid-to-late 1950s, Blue Note issued a series of Quebec singles for the juke box market; audinences responded well, leading to a number of warmly-received albums.
Quebec's comeback was cut short by his death from lung cancer.
Influenced by Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster but definitely his own person, Ike Quebec was one of the finest swing-oriented tenor saxman of the 1940s and '50s. Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to came to down-home blues, sexy ballads, and up-tempo aggression. Originally a pianist, Quebec switched to tenor in the early '40s and showed that he had made the right decision on excellent 78s for Blue Note and Savoy (including his hit "Blue Harlem"). As a sideman, he worked with Benny Carter, Kenny Clarke, Roy Eldridge, and Cab Calloway. In the late '40s, the saxman did a bit of freelancing behind the scenes as a Blue Note A&R man and brought Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell to the label. Drug problems kept Quebec from recording for most of the 1950s, but he made a triumphant comeback in the early '60s and was once again recording for Blue Note and doing freelance A&R for the company. Quebec was playing as authoritatively as ever well into 1962, giving no indication that he was suffering from lung cancer, which claimed his life at the age of 44 in 1963. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi
The Man I Love
Ike Quebec Lyrics
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Like an April breeze on the wings of spring,
And you appear in all your splendor,
My one and only love.
The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
In the hush of night while you're in my arms.
I feel your lips, so warm and tender,
The touch of your hand is like heaven,
A heaven that I've never known.
The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
Tells me that you are my own.
You fill my eager heart with such desire.
Ev'ry kiss you give sets my soul on fire.
I give myself in sweet surrender,
My one and only love.
In Ike Quebec's song "The Man I Love," the lyrics depict a deep and passionate love for someone, emphasizing the intense emotions and longing experienced in their presence. The opening lines convey the overwhelming happiness and joy that this person brings, comparing it to the refreshing and invigorating feelings of an April breeze in spring. The mention of their splendor emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of their presence and suggests that this person is truly unique and exceptional to the singer.
As the song continues, the lyrics describe the intimate moments shared between the singer and their beloved. The setting transforms into a mystic and enchanting atmosphere as the shadows fall, enhancing the sense of intimacy and secrecy. The singer expresses their deep affection by feeling the warmth and tenderness of their lover's lips, emphasizing the depth of their connection. The repetition of "my one and only love" throughout the song further emphasizes the exclusivity and significance of this relationship to the singer.
The song also highlights the profound physical and emotional impact that this person has on the singer. The touch of their hand is compared to experiencing heavenly bliss that surpasses anything the singer has ever encountered before. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply moved by the blush on their lover's cheek, reinforcing the belief that they belong to each other.
In the final lines, the singer reveals their complete surrender to this love, offering themselves wholeheartedly. This act of sweet surrender signifies their willingness to give everything to this relationship, acknowledging that this love is the one and only that truly matters.
Line by Line Meaning
The very thought of you makes my heart sing
Just the mere thought of you brings me so much joy and happiness
Like an April breeze on the wings of spring
You have a light and refreshing presence, like a gentle breeze in the beautiful season of spring
And you appear in all your splendor
When you are around, you radiate with elegance and magnificence
My one and only love
You are the only person that I truly love
The shadows fall and spread their mystic charms
As darkness approaches, it brings a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere
In the hush of night while you're in my arms
During the calm and quiet of the night, when I hold you close
I feel your lips, so warm and tender
When I kiss you, your lips feel incredibly warm and gentle
My one and only love
You are the only person that I truly love
The touch of your hand is like heaven
When you touch me, it feels like I am experiencing pure bliss or paradise
A heaven that I've never known
This feeling of heavenly bliss is something I have never experienced before
The blush on your cheek whenever I speak
When I talk to you, I can see a warm and rosy blush appearing on your cheeks
Tells me that you are my own
This blush assures me that you belong to me and no one else
You fill my eager heart with such desire
You ignite such a strong longing and passion within my eager heart
Ev'ry kiss you give sets my soul on fire
Each kiss you give me sets my soul aflame with intense passion
I give myself in sweet surrender
I willingly and completely surrender myself to you in a sweet and loving way
My one and only love
You are the only person that I truly love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Guy B. Wood, Robert Mellin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind