Michel was born into a musical family and as a young child showed great aptitude for the accordion that his parents gave him. Although he enjoyed the accordion, it was his grandparents' piano that sparked his interest the most, so at aged 9 he asked his parents to buy him one. Their response was to first send him to the Elementary Music School, part of the National Conservatory, and then a year later to grant his wish.
The formal system of the music school taught Michel to play in the classical style, and by aged 16 he was playing with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic. Michel comments on his first encounter with the sounds of jazz, in an interview with the All About Jazz website:
”The first time I heard jazz was when I was 14 and a half. I heard the great Art Tatum on the radio playing his solo piano rendition of 'Tea for Two.' That immediately caught my ear. I just wanted to soak it in, to learn to play that style. Then I found out it was jazz.”
Michel studied for 13 years at the National Conservatory, and whilst developing his strong classical abilities was also heavily influenced by the bop tradition, and by the contemporary jazz of Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea. His influences at this time also included Horace Silver, Erroll Garner, and the ragtime music of Scott Joplin.
When the Harvard University Jazz Band visited the Dominican Republic and heard Michel at a jam session, the bandleader encouraged him, 'You should be in the States', and so the idea was planted. In 1979 Michel moved to New York to study at Mannes College and at The Juilliard School, and broke onto the international stage in 1983 when Tito Puente's pianist was unable to make a concert at the Montreal Jazz Festival. On a recommendation, without hearing him, Tito asked Michel to play. Cuban reedman Paquito D'Rivera was in the audience, and immediately offered him a place in his band. For four years Michel toured internationally with Paquito, and recorded two albums with him.
Michel's emergence as a star in his own right began around 1985, the year he debuted with his trio at Carnegie Hall. In that same year he toured Europe with Paquito D’Rivera’s quintet, and recorded his first album, Why Not?, for Japan’s King label. In 1988 Michel debuted on a major record label, Sony, with the release of Michel Camilo. This became a bestseller and held the top jazz album spot for ten consecutive weeks. Other bestselling albums followed and so did the accolades, including a Grammy and an Emmy. Michel's collaborative 2000 album with flamenco guitarist Tomatito, Spain won Best Latin Jazz Album in the first Latin Grammy Awards.
As well as being an outstanding performer, Michel is a talented composer and has written scores for several Spanish language films including Los Peores Años de Nuestra Vida and the award-winning Amo Tu Cama Rica.
Michel tours extensively, and lectures in Europe, the US and in the Puerto Rico Conservatory. He holds several honorary degrees, a Visiting Professorship at Berklee College of Music, and has been honored in his home country by being named a Knight of the Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus, and being awarded the Silver Cross of the Order of Duarte, Sanchez & Mella.
Source: Wikipedia®
Song For My Father
Michel Camilo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who was generous, gracious and good
That was my dad
The man
A human being so true
He could live like a king
'Cause he knew
The real pleasure in life
To be devoted to
And always stand by me
So I’d be unafraid and free
If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good
That was my dad
The man
A human being so true
He could live like a king
'Cause he knew
The real pleasure in life
To be devoted to
And always stand by me
So I’d be unafraid and free
If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good
That was my dad
The man, The man
The lyrics to Michel Camilo's song "Song For My Father" pay tribute to the singer's father, who is described as a generous, gracious, and good man. The lyrics describe how the singer's father always stood by him and was devoted to him, giving him the confidence to be unafraid and free.
The song is a reminder of the important role that fathers can play in their children's lives, providing support, guidance, and love. It acknowledges the sacrifices that parents make for their children and the impact that this can have on their children's lives.
Overall, the lyrics are a heartfelt tribute to the singer's father, expressing gratitude for his love and support and recognizing the positive impact he has had on the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
If there was ever a man
Acknowledging the praise and admiration one has for their father
Who was generous, gracious and good
Describing the positive qualities possessed by the father
That was my dad
Affirming that the father being spoken about is the writer's own father
The man
Emphasizing the father's role as a man and a father figure
A human being so true
Highlighting the father's authenticity and genuineness
He could live like a king
Suggesting that the father had a good life because of how he lived and the values he had
'Cause he knew
Implying that the father had a deep understanding of life's true meaning and what brings happiness
The real pleasure in life
Referring to the importance of having meaningful relationships and living a life of purpose
To be devoted to
Expressing the father's commitment to the writer's well-being
And always stand by me
Highlighting the father's support and loyalty
So I’d be unafraid and free
Explaining that the father's guidance allowed the writer to live a confident and independent life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HORACE SILVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind