After a brief period of classical composition studies with Edgar Valcarcel, at the time conductor of the Lima Symphony Orchestra, Zellon decided to pursue Jazz studies at Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music.
He also received private instruction from Pat Martino, Red Rodney and Charles Banacos. In 1995 he established Songosaurus Music, a record label devoted to the promotion of new Latin Jazz artists from all over the continent."The Afro-Peruvian Jazz Sessions", "Café con Leche", "The Nazca Lines" (Grammy nominated) and "Metal Caribe" are just a few of his critically acclaimed CDs for the label. They showcase a diversity of Latin rhythms covering not only the Brazilian and Afro Caribbean styles traditionally associated with the Latin Jazz genre, but also those pertaining to a variety of South American countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay and of course his native Peru. He has performed in clubs and jazz festivals throughout the US., Latin America, Europe and Israel.
In the years following his national recording debut with the Songosaurus label, he has spent most of his time as producer for dozens of Latin Jazz CD projects. He has recorded and/or performed in the company of such world-class artists as Paquito D' Rivera, Alex Acuña, Danilo Perez, David Liebman, Dave Samuels, Sam Rivers, Jerry Bergonzi, Abraham Laboriel, Justo Almario, Bob Moses, George Garzone, Manfredo Fest, Jeff Berlin and David Amram among others. Due to his innovations within the evolving Latin Jazz field, he has been profiled internationally in various books on its history: "El Diccionario de Latin Jazz" by Nat Chediak , the French book on Latin Jazz, "Caliente" by Luc Delannoy ,"Mixtura: jazz con sabor peruano" by Jorge Olazo, "Cuban Fire: The Story of Salsa and Latin Jazz" and "Jazz Latino" by Isabelle Leymarie ,"Jazz Jews" by Mike Gerber, as well as "Oye Como Va" by Jose Arteaga .
From 2004 to 2007 he served as Professor of Jazz Guitar Studies at Florida International University in Miami prior to which he fulfilled the same position at the University of South Florida (Tampa,FL.). He was also on the faculty at ARTI (Audio Recording Tech Institute) in Orlando for 2 consecutive years. In addition to being a BMI writer and publisher, Zellon has been writing a regular column on Latin American music for "Jazz Improv" magazine since 1999. "From the moment I placed my hands on a Moll guitar, I knew I had to have one. Every note I played, regardless of the register, resonated with a clear lush tone and plenty of sustain and volume. As far as looks go, I can't say enough...the finish on these guitars are absolutely gorgeous !
Congratulations Bill on creating such fine instruments. I am proud to be a Moll endorser!"
Richie Zellon
In A Sentimental Mood
Richie Zellon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
In A Sentimental Mood
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
Rose pearls seem to fall
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
"In a Sentimental Mood" is a love song written by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, and Manny Kurtz, but Richie Zellon's rendition of the song puts a new spin on the classic. The lyrics describe the experience of being in love and feeling like you are in a state of bliss. The persona in the lyrics claims that their lover's attitude towards them is like a flame that lights the gloom; the lover's presence makes their life brighter and more positive. The song also mentions stars and rose pearls falling, creating a romantic and dream-like atmosphere. The melody of the song is described as strange and sweet, which reflects the idea that the relationship between the singer and their lover is unique and special.
Throughout the song, the persona expresses their gratitude for being loved by their significant other. They describe feeling like they are in a world that is heavenly since they never imagined that someone as sentimental as them could be loved. The persona's heart is made lighter by their lover, which makes the night a thing divine. Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the transformative and uplifting effect of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the stars come thru my room
The stars shining through his window symbolize the beauty he sees in the world when he's with the person he loves.
While your loving attitude Is like a flame that lights the gloom
The love he feels from the other person is like a guiding light, giving him hope and happiness even in difficult times.
On the wings of ev'ry kiss Drift a melody so strange and sweet
Each kiss they share has a beautiful melody and feeling that fills his heart with joy and wonder.
In this sentimental bliss you make my Paradise complete
Being with the other person brings him a sense of completeness and happiness that he can't find anywhere else.
Rose pearls seem to fall It's all like a dream to call you mine
He feels like he's living in a beautiful dream, where everything is perfect and he gets to call the other person his own.
My heart's lighter thing Since you made me this night a thing divine
His heart feels lighter and happier since he met the other person, and the moment they shared together feels like a divine, magical experience.
I'm within a world so heavenly For I never dreamt That you'd be loving sentimental me
He feels like he's living in a heavenly world because he never thought he could be loved so deeply and sentimentally by another person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind