Ball began his career in the 1950s as sideman in bands before forming his own Trad jazz band in 1958. Ball and his band enjoyed the longest unbroken success for bands of their generation, with their hits like "Samantha" and "Midnight in Moscow" remaining popular in dixieland and trumpet circles. Ball's status rivals contemporaries Acker Bilk and Chris Barber. In March of 1962 Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen reached #2 on the US Billboard charts, with "Midnight in Moscow".
Ball continued to tour in the 2000s and charted no fewer than 14 Top 30 hit singles in the UK alone, the most by any jazz artist.
The line-up changed greatly over the years, but the following personnel were in situ when the musical ensemble was at its commercial peak:
Kenny Ball (trumpet)
John Bennett (trombone), still in the line-up at the time of Ball's death
Dave Jones (clarinet)
Ron Weatherburn (piano)
Paddy Lightfoot (banjo)
Ron Bowden (drums)
Vic Pitt (bass, bass guitar)
Midnight in Moscow
Kenny Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not a rustling sound
Softly shines the moon clear and bright
Dear, if you could know
How I treasure so
This most beautiful Moscow Night
Lazily the brook like a silvery stream
And a song afar fades as in a dream
In this night that will end too soon
Yes a song afar fades as in a dream
In this night that will end too soon
Dearest, why so sad, why the downcast eyes
And your lovely head bent so low
Oh, I mustn't speak, though I'd love to say
That you've stolen my heart away
Promise me my love, as the dawn appears
And the darkness turns into light
That you'll cherish dear, through the passing years
This most beautiful Moscow Night
Say you'll cherish dear through the passing years
This most beautiful Moscow Night
The lyrics of Kenny Ball's Jazzmen's song Midnight in Moscow describe the beauty of a calm and peaceful night in Moscow. The opening line, "Stillness in the grove, not a rustling sound" sets the tone for a serene atmosphere. The singer expresses their love for the night and its beauty, addressing their dear one, "If you could know, how I treasure so, this most beautiful Moscow night." The moonlight and the sound of the gentle brook form a picturesque setting, and the song that fades away in the distant adds to the dreamlike ambiance.
The singer notices the sadness in their dear one and questions the reason behind the downcast eyes and the lovely head bent low. They express their desire to confess their love but restrain themselves. They hope for a promise, as the dawn appears, that their dear one will cherish this beautiful Moscow night through the passing years.
Line by Line Meaning
Stillness in the grove
Peaceful silence surrounds the area
Not a rustling sound
There is no sound of any leaves or branches moving
Softly shines the moon clear and bright
The moon is shining softly with a clear and bright light
Dear, if you could know
If you only knew, my love
How I treasure so
How much I value this moment
This most beautiful Moscow Night
This stunning night in Moscow
Lazily the brook like a silvery stream
The brook is flowing slowly and calmly like a stream of pure silver
Ripples in the light of the moon
Small waves can be seen reflecting the moonlight
And a song afar fades as in a dream
The sound of a distant song slowly fades, as if in a dream
In this night that will end too soon
The night will be over before we know it
Dearest, why so sad, why the downcast eyes
My love, why do you appear so unhappy? Why are you looking down?
And your lovely head bent so low
Your beautiful head is lowered down
Oh, I mustn't speak, though I'd love to say
I shouldn't say anything, even though I want to express myself
That you've stolen my heart away
You have captured my heart completely
Promise me my love, as the dawn appears
Promise me, my dear, when the sun rises
And the darkness turns into light
When the darkness gives way to light
That you'll cherish dear, through the passing years
That you will treasure this moment for years to come
This most beautiful Moscow Night
This stunning night in Moscow
Say you'll cherish dear through the passing years
Promise to treasure this moment forever
This most beautiful Moscow Night
This stunning night in Moscow
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: V SOLOVIEV-SEDOY, K BALL, M MATUSOVSKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sexcjon
i am 17 years old and i am madly in love with this song... my foot just won't stop tapping! love it!
@cringexd9032
It’s crazy to think that you’re probably 27 now
@mark8yes329
It's not a song. It's music.
@anirudhkolli2241
How are you at 27 now
@TipeONegatyve
How's 28 treating you?
@jh2264
@MARK8 yes I guess it sang to him. :) I was 4 when I first heard this. My Dad loved Trad Jazz, & listened to lots of it. I'm very much older now and I still think it sounds great. I think good music is ageless & timeless. Love the reel-to-reel tape recorder too - takes me back. Thanks.
@demef758
One of the great things about recording music is that if your work was top notch, your music will live on long after you are gone. As such, Ball and his Jazzmen will never die.
@RubtsoffAccordion
Like this song.
@chloe19815
That is my grandad playing that clarinet. RIP dave jones
@christophers.o622
Chloe you granddad played true & real jazz music, that was late 1963/early 1964, I was 10 then. I used to hear it on the radio my late parents had on in the car & House, WIP AM 610 Philadelphia which today is a sports radio station, one of the 3 best sports radio stations, the other 2 are in Los Angeles & San Diego.