Pieces of a Dream first started playing throughout the Tri-State area, and were soon featured on Temple University’s pioneering jazz radio station, WRTI-FM. Long before the “Young Lions” era of Wynton Marsalis, Lloyd and Harmon were swinging so hard as teenagers that the great Count Basie once proclaimed them “a tough act to follow.” But it was another jazz legend, the late Grover Washington Jr., the sax man who made Philadelphia his home, who helped Pieces of a Dream become the internationally known stars they are today.
After quickly becoming popular around Philadelphia, the trio landed a spot as the house band for a local television show called City Lights. Their experience widened as they played backup on the broadcasts to a wide variety of artists, and that’s where Washington first heard them. One day while the teenagers were playing at the Bijou (where Grover had recorded his Live at the Bijou album), he sat in with them to play “Mr. Magic.” Soon Washington announced that he was starting a production company and that Pieces of a Dream would be his first act. Lloyd was only a senior in high school when his first record came out.
From 1981 to 1984, Pieces of a Dream built their reputation with three albums on Elektra that would come to define the musical essence of the smooth jazz radio explosion: Pieces of a Dream, We Are One and Imagine This. Those seminal records yielded some of their earliest hits, including “Warm Weather,” “Mount Airy Groove” and “Fo Fi Fo.” Soon after completing Joyride, their last effort for Elektra, Pieces of a Dream moved to EMI/Blue Note and went on to record seven more albums. During this period, the group amicably parted ways with long time friend Cedric Napoleon.
In 2001, Pieces of a Dream signed with Heads Up International and celebrated their 25th anniversary with what was undoubtedly their best album in years, Acquainted with the Night. The group’s silver anniversary release featured guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak, and saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kenny Blake. Highlights included compositions from Albright and Michael Bearden, along with remakes of “Mahogany” and “Upside Down.” Acquainted with the Night generated two top-five singles on R&R's NAC chart. The follow up album Love's Silhouette also scored top radio chart positioning and Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart top 10 status. Their April 2004 release, No Assembly Required, is sure to be another hit album in their long and illustrious career.
One of their former singers Norwood Young is now a cast member on the E! Cable channel's TV show High Maintenance 90210.
Addition - May 9,2009
Formed: 1975 in Philadelphia, PA
Styles: Crossover Jazz, Urban, Smooth Jazz
Group Members: Curtis Harmon, Ron Kerber, James K. Lloyd, Cedric A. Napoleon
Biography
Comprised of bassist Cedric Napoleon, drummer Curtis Harmon, and keyboardist James Lloyd, Pieces of a Dream were founded in 1975 in Philadelphia when the principal members were all teenagers. Originally somewhat jazz-oriented, Pieces of a Dream have mostly emphasized R&B, although they usually include a few jazz numbers in their performances. Grover Washington, Jr. produced their first three albums (all for Elektra during 1981-1983); they have since recorded for Manhattan and Blue Note. Saxophonist Ron Kerber became a member in the 1990s, preceding the four varied releases that appeared throughout the decade. A collection appeared at the turn of the century, but the band proved to still be going strong with 2001's Acquainted with the Night and 2002's Love's Silhouette. No Assembly Required was released in 2004 on Cleveland's Heads Up label, followed by 2006's Pillow Talk, also on Heads Up. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Shadow of Your Smile
Pieces Of A Dream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you have gone
Will color all my dreams
And light the dawn
Look into my eyes my love and see
All the lovely things you are to me
It was far, too high
A teardrop kissed your lips
And so did I
Now when I remember spring
All the joys that love can bring
I will be remembering
The shadow of your smile
The Shadow of Your Smile by Pieces of a Dream is a poignant song about the aftermath of a love affair that has ended. The shadow of one's ex-lover's smile is said to linger on, coloring all of the individual's dreams and brightening the dawn. The song urges one's former partner to take a long look into their eyes, to comprehend the lovely things that they have been in the past. The wistful little star has been placed too high, and the teardrops that wet one's former lover's lips also dampen one's own.
The singer recalls the joys of spring when they reflect on the good times and the lovely things of love. They remember the various experiences that they shared with their partner, but the memory of their smile hangs over them like a dark cloud that dulls the past's color. The song appears to convey a sense of melancholia, wistfulness, and longing. The singer is left with their memories of their previous relationship, with nothing but the shadow of their ex-lover's smile to keep them company.
Line by Line Meaning
The shadow of your smile
The memory of your beautiful smile will linger on even after you have departed.
When you have gone
Once you leave my life or depart from this world.
Will color all my dreams
The sweet memories of you will shape and influence my dreams.
And light the dawn
Even when things seem dark, thoughts of you will bring light and hope into my life.
Look into my eyes my love and see
Please gaze upon me and realize how much I adore you.
All the lovely things you are to me
To me, you are everything wonderful and worthy of love.
Our wistful little star
We shared a dream that felt unachievable or far-fetched.
It was far, too high
The goal we aimed for was difficult to reach or out of our grasp.
A teardrop kissed your lips
Both of us were moved to tears by what we felt in that moment of hope and sadness.
And so did I
I too was moved to cry, feeling the same emotions as you.
Now when I remember spring
Whenever I recall that time in my life when things were blossoming and new.
All the joys that love can bring
The blissful moments when love is fresh and vibrant.
I will be remembering
My memory will be focused on that specific moment.
The shadow of your smile
The remnants of your joyous smile will be the main image associated with my memories of love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Mandel, Paul Webster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Chard
What a brilliant rendition of a classic.
Michael Freeman
This song popped in my head this morning and it took me a minute to find it. It is still as beautiful as I remember it from the 80's when I first heard of Pieces of A Dream. Great arrangement and melody with just the right touch of pizzazz. Love it, thanks for sharing.
Derek 8128
Pieces of a Dream is a Remarkable Jazz group this tune still sounds good in 2021 🎹 🎵
Sharon Smith
I had the pleasure of seeing Pieces of a Dream perform back in 1977, when they were teenagers just starting out, The keyboardist left me in awe, playing a keyboard with his left hand, and a keyboard with his right. They are still awesome. The shadow of your smile is still my favorite.
Jacqueline Holmes
I too had the pleasure of seeing these dudes perform in our auditorium, I went to Middle School with them, James on Keys we were in the same 7th grade class! They still going strong...go Philly!
Byron
This is one of the song that makes you feel a range of emotions - happy and sad. I've seen Pieces of a Dream back in the 80's and they were incredibly talented musicians.Thanks for posting this great rendition!
Steven Lo
this version never gets old
MrBoyblue07
I first heard this arrangement in 1984, when stationed in West Germany as a young Airman in the USAF. I was turned on to this group by a buddy of mine from Philly. Here I am 35 years later, still appreciating this fine arrangement of a beautiful song by great musicians - great memories. Thanks for sharing.
Julian
I first heard it in the 80s.... here it is 2021 and by far my favorite!!!
RXmusic4YOU
...been listening to these cats for years........still listening....such talent...parents:..give your child an instrument....