Listening to Herbie Hancock's harmonies over Wayne Shorter’s compositions helped her bridge the gap from her classical training to jazz."The way my jazz chops developed was twofold. I developed acoustic straight ahead and electronic fusion playing equally over time," she says. After launching a quintet called Nardis, she studied with Joanne Brackeen and Richie Beirach.
Rachel Z graduated from the New England Conservatory with a 'Distinction in Performance' award while working professionally in the Boston area with performers like Bob Moses, Miroslav Vitous and George Garzone. Returning to New York in 1988, she toured with New England Conservatory schoolmate turned rhythm & jazz superstar saxman Najee and later co-wrote album Tokyo Blue. While performing and recording steadily with the classic fusion band Steps Ahead from 1988 through 1996, she also worked with Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Special EFX, and Angela Bofill, and began a fruitful association with producer/vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. Mainieri produced her Columbia Records debut Trust the Universe in 1993. Reflecting the influence of Corea, Hancock, and even Pat Metheny, the CD featured the jazz radio hit 'Nardis.'
Her connection to saxophone great Wayne Shorter grew from major influence to full-blown collaborator over the two years she worked on his hit comeback album High Life, for which she built a synthesized orchestral framework to crystallize his musical vision. Rachel Z also played acoustic piano on the album and was musical director for the tour that followed. The CD won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. 1996 also saw the release of her NYC Records debut A Room of One’s Own, which she dedicated to the many women artists who have played an influential role in her life. Two years later Rachel released an album on GRP, Love is the Power, an album that featured hip-hop grooves with melodic piano flourishes and poems about the search for eternal love and wisdom through music.
Rachel returned to acoustic music, in an all-female trio setting, with On the Milky Way Express, her well-received tribute to Wayne Shorter, in 2000.
Imagine
Rachel Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
The song "Imagine" by Rachel Z is a cover of the classic John Lennon track. The song is an anthem for world peace, advocating for a future that is free from the divisions caused by religion, borders and economic inequality. The song starts off with the line "Imagine there's no heaven", immediately subverting any religious beliefs that people may hold which divide humanity. The lyrics "No hell below us, Above us only sky" implies that there is no punishment or reward afterlife, thus emphasizing the importance of living in the moment and making the most of this life.
The second verse affirms the importance of unity and the need to break down the artificial borders between countries which are responsible for so much political conflict. The line "Nothing to kill or die for" speaks volumes about the amount of bloodshed that has occurred in the name of patriotism and nationalism throughout history. The final line of this verse "Imagine all the people living life in peace, you" directly addresses the listener, encouraging them to actively imagine a world that is free from the burden of national allegiance.
The chorus of the song is a powerful and catchy reminder that these ideas are not just a pipe dream. It directly addresses those who may call this vision unrealistic or too idealistic. The final verse calls for the dismantling of capitalism and private property, advocating for a world in which people share their wealth and resources freely. The message being conveyed here is that selfishness and greed will only hold humanity back from reaching its full potential.
Overall, "Imagine" is a timeless song that still resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. The song captures the essence of the human desire for a better world and a universal sense of unity. The song has been covered by countless artists throughout the years, and has been used in political campaigns and rallies across the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Imagine there's no heaven
Think about a world without a heaven, a utopia where the troubles of the afterlife do not exist.
It's easy if you try
Creating this utopia is not a difficult job; you just have to make an effort to think about it.
No hell below us
This utopia needs to lack the conception of hell as that often fuels animosity between people.
Above us only sky
The world would be peaceful and there would be no need to look up for any religious salvation.
Imagine all the people living for today
All people should have the opportunity to live for the present without the foreboding of any divine judgment of the afterlife.
Imagine there's no countries
In this world, countries would never have been created, and we would all be just one society.
It isn't hard to do
To imagine this world without countries is not a difficult job, if only one opens their mind to the possibility.
Nothing to kill or die for
This new society would not require any violence, as there is no connection to land or the division of people by government.
And no religion too
In this fantasy world, religion does not exist as it often becomes the basis for disputes.
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
All people would live in a utopian world characterized by perpetual peace.
You may say I'm a dreamer
This utopian world may seem fanciful, but it is worth remembering that every monumental change was once just an idea.
But I'm not the only one
I am not the only one that has come up with this idea, and we can all work together to achieve it.
I hope some day you'll join us
This world can only be achieved if everyone puts their efforts towards the common goal.
And the world will be as one
We will achieve world unity and create lasting harmony with one another.
Imagine no possessions
In this new society, the idea of owning property is foreign. Possessions do not matter; people only see what they can offer each other.
I wonder if you can
It may be hard to imagine for some, but this is a world that we can all work towards.
No need for greed or hunger
In a world without possessions, there is no need for anyone to be greedy or deprived of basic sustenance.
A brotherhood of man
We would live together in perfect harmony, like a true brotherhood.
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you
Everyone will be equal and cooperate without any notion of ownership.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind