Sanders was… Read Full Bio ↴Pharoah Sanders (1940-2022) was a U.S. jazz saxophonist.
Sanders was born on 13th October 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, under the name Farrell Sanders. He began his professional career playing tenor saxophone in Oakland, California.
Sanders moved to New York City in 1962. He received his nickname "Pharoah" from Sun Ra, with whom Sanders performed. He came to prominence playing with John Coltrane's band starting in 1965, as Coltrane began experimenting with the music which would soon become known as avant-garde jazz.
Although he developed a slightly different style from Coltrane, Sanders was strongly influenced by their collaboration together. Sanders was also greatly influenced by Coltrane's earlier works (in which Sanders did not collaborate), particularly A Love Supreme. Spiritual elements such as the chanting in A Love Supreme would later show up in many of Sanders' own works. Sanders would also go on to produce much free jazz, being influenced by his free jazz collaborations with Coltrane, particularly Coltrane's most notable free-jazz work, Ascension (1965), as well as their dual-tenor recording Meditations (1965).
In 1968 he participated in Mike Mantler & Carla Bley's JCOA: Jazz Composer's Orchestra Association album Communications featuring Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Larry Coryell and Gato Barbieri. This solo has been referred to by John Zorn and others as the most intense and inspiring free tenor solo ever put to tape.
In the 1970s, Sanders pursued his own recordings and continued to work with the likes of Alice Coltrane on her Journey in Satchidananda album.
In 1994 he travelled to Morocco to record with master Gnawa musician Maleem Mahmoud Ghania, resulting in the Bill Laswell-produced The Trance of Seven Colours. Sanders continued to work with Laswell, Jah Wobble, and others on the albums Message from Home (1996) and Save Our Children (1998).
Sanders is known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound".
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Pharoah Sanders Lyrics
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I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
All around a pug-nosed dream
The music started and was I the perplexed one
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
As we floated over the floor
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
And perhaps a few things more
Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream
The lyrics to Pharoah Sanders's song Polka Dots and Moonbeams tell the story of a serendipitous encounter at a country dance. The singer accidentally bumps into someone and apologizes, catching a glimpse of their features under the moonlight. They start dancing together, and the singer is overcome with a feeling of nervousness and confusion. Despite this, they continue to dance and feel a sense of understanding with their partner, even if they cannot explain it to others.
Line by Line Meaning
A country dance was being held in a garden
There was a dance taking place in an open area adorned with trees, grass, and flowers
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
I accidentally collided with someone, and they uttered an apology
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
As if by magic, I witnessed circles and rays of light all around me
All around a pug-nosed dream
These patterns appeared on the face of someone with a short, flat nose
The music started and was I the perplexed one
The sound began, and I was confused and uncertain about what to do
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
I asked nervously and excitedly if I could have the following dance
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
As we danced, the luminous patterns covered the body of the person in my trembling embrace
Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream
I saw the light glimmering on the face of the person I held tightly
There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
The other participants stared at us with confusion or curiosity
As we floated over the floor
As we danced slowly, as if floating on air
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
Despite the doubts of those looking on, I had a clear understanding of my feelings
And perhaps a few things more
I may have had additional insights or perceptions beyond what was apparent to others
Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
In the present, I live in a home constructed with flowers and joy
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
I understand what it means to be committed to someone for the rest of my life
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
Forever, I'll know that love can bring illumination and beauty to the most unexpected situations
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream
Whenever I embrace the person who at first appeared unremarkable, but who has become everything to me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES VAN HEUSEN, JIMMY VAN HEUSEN, JOHNNY BURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind