Born in Waban, Massachusetts, he is an alumnus of the New England Conservatory. Kellaway has composed commissioned works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, and jazz big band, as well as for film, TV, ballet and stage productions. As a composer/arranger, he has received two prestigious honors — a 1976 Oscar nomination for Best Adaptation Score for the film A Star Is Born, and the 1989 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement for the album Memos from Paradise. As a pianist, Kellaway has performed and recorded with a wide range of prominent musicians, such as Lena Horne, Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Barbra Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Cole, Yo-Yo Ma, Quincy Jones, Caterina Valente, Oliver Nelson, Thad Jones, Melanie, Joe Beck, Henry Mancini, clarinetist Eddie Daniels, jazz bassist Red Mitchell, and violinist Yue Deng. Kellaway is perhaps best known for his Cello Quartet recordings in the 1970s...Not forgetting The Singers Unlimited.
In 1964 Kellaway recorded Happiness for Impulse! with the Russian Jazz Quartet, a group also featuring Grady Tate and Boris Midney, the arranger for USA European Connection.
For the TV sitcom All in the Family (later known as Archie Bunker's Place), Kellaway wrote and played the closing theme — "Remembering You".
On November 07 and 08, 2008 Kellaway served as band leader and pianist during the Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl concerts by Van Morrison celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the acclaimed album that was released in November 1968. Featured also is guitarist Jay Berliner who was one of the original musicians.
(2) A virtuosic pianist whose phenomenal technique rivals Dick Hyman's, Roger Kellaway's work in commercial settings prior to the 1980s led to him being initially overlooked in the jazz world. He played piano and bass at the New England Conservatory (1957-1959) and actually left school to play bass with Jimmy McPartland. Switching permanently to piano, Kellaway picked up experience working with Kai Winding, Al Cohn/Zoot Sims, and Clark Terry/Bob Brookmeyer (1963-1965). He recorded with many players, including Ben Webster, Maynard Ferguson, Wes Montgomery, and Sonny Rollins, and in 1966 moved to Los Angeles where he played with Don Ellis' innovative orchestra. Kellaway became Bobby Darin's musical director, worked in the studios (his piano is heard playing the theme of All in the Family), wrote film scores, experimented with electric keyboards, played with Tom Scott, and recorded with his popular (but mostly non-jazz) Cello Quartet. Although he gigged locally with Zoot Sims and Harry "Sweets" Edison, it was not until the mid-'80s that Kellaway started playing jazz nearly full-time. His many records since then (for Concord, All Art, Stash, and Chiaroscuro) attest to his impressive talents. ~ Scott Yanow
Emily
Roger Kellaway Lyrics
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Has the murmuring sound of may
All silver bells, coral shells, carousels
And the laughter of children at play
Say Emily, Emily, Emily
And we fade to a marvelous view
Two lovers alone and out of sight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily
(and we fade to a marvelous view)
Two lovers alone and out of sight
Seeing images in the firelight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily
Too
The song "Emily" by Roger Kellaway is an enchanting ode to a woman named Emily. The opening line "Emily, Emily, Emily" is a gentle call to her name, which has a "murmuring sound of may," evoking the feeling of springtime. The next lines set a whimsical scene, full of joyful sounds and sights; "silver bells, coral shells, carousels, and the laughter of children at play." These images are fantastical and dreamlike, fitting for an affectionate daydream.
In the following stanza, we hear the lyric "Say Emily, Emily, Emily, and we fade to a marvelous view." This line is particularly interesting because it emphasizes the power of imagination and the ability to transport oneself through thought. The imagined view is of "two lovers alone and out of sight, seeing images in the firelight, as my eyes visualize a family, they see Emily, Emily."
The song concludes with the repeated line, "Too", which can be interpreted in a myriad of ways. It could be seen as an expression of longing for Emily, a recognition of her beauty, or an admission of the grandeur of the imagined scene. Overall, "Emily" is a touching tribute to a beloved companion, full of whimsy and imagination that captures a feeling of pure bliss.
Line by Line Meaning
Emily, Emily, Emily
The repeated utterance of Emily's name sets the tone for the rest of the song which is filled with memories and longing for the titular character.
Has the murmuring sound of may
The name Emily evokes the same feeling as the gentle, soothing whispers of the breeze during the month of May - a time of new beginnings and growth.
All silver bells, coral shells, carousels
Emily represents a world of enchantment and magic, filled with the delightful sounds of ringing bells, the colors of coral and the joy of riding carousels.
And the laughter of children at play
Emily's world is also one of innocence and joy, where the laughter of children playing fills the air.
Say Emily, Emily, Emily
The repetition of the name Emily continues to emphasize the importance of this character.
And we fade to a marvelous view
The mere mention of Emily is enough to transport the singer into a world of wonder and amazement.
Two lovers alone and out of sight
The singer imagines two lovers basking in the warmth and glow of the fire, hidden away from the world.
Seeing images in the firelight
The firelight creates a sense of magic and wonder, casting shadows and images that captivate the lovers' imagination.
As my eyes visualize a family
The artist imagines his own future and visualizes a happy family with Emily at the center.
They see Emily, Emily
The lovers in the song also see Emily in their own visions of the future, highlighting her importance not just to the artist but to everyone in the world he imagines.
Too
The word 'too' simply reinforces the importance of the character of Emily in the song and in the singer's imagination.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ricky Ross, Scott Fraser, Pete Webb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind