Since his arrival in New York City just eight years ago, jazz trombonist an… Read Full Bio ↴Since his arrival in New York City just eight years ago, jazz trombonist and composer Ryan Keberle has been a sought-after musician, playing in many different styles including all genres of jazz, avant-garde, Latin, classical, and rock. When not performing in New York City's major venues, including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room, Birdland, and the Bowery Ballroom, he is often touring the country and the world, having performed in Scandinavia, Italy, Ireland, Russia, China, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and others. Mr. Keberle graduated in 2001 from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with critically acclaimed trombonist Steve Turre and composers Mike Abene and the late Manny Album. Upon graduation he received the William H. Borden award for musical excellence in jazz, given to one member of each graduating class. He went on to study with Wycliffe Gordon and David Berger as a part of the Juilliard School's groundbreaking Institute for Jazz Studies. In May of 2003, he became a member of Jazz at Juilliard's first graduating class. Recently, Mr. Keberle performed on NBC with the Saturday Night Live band, and was selected as one of ten finalists for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trombone Competition. Aside from being a regular member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra and about 15 other ensembles based in New York City, Ryan has also performed or recorded with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Charles McPherson, the late Percy Heath, Teo Macero, Joe Lovano, Eric Reed, Ivan Lins, Jon Hendricks, Madeline Peyroux, and Alicia Keys among others, and is the regular trombonist for the broadway musical hit, “In the Heights”. In April of 2007 Ryan’s debut CD, “Ryan Keberle Double Quartet”, was released to rave reviews from around the world. The New York Times hailed it as an “auspicious debut”, All About Jazz declared it to be “an outstanding debut from a hot, new voice on the jazz scene”, and Inside Connection named it as “one of the year’s best!”. Aside from his successful performance career, Mr. Keberle has also developed the reputation as being one of the leading jazz educators in New York City and beyond. In 2001 Mr. Keberle was selected as the artistic director for New York City’s first youth jazz orchestra, Jazz Band Classic. The band made its premiere with Jimmy Heath in Aaron Davis Hall, and finished its season with an appearance by Slide Hampton in Carnegie Hall. Since 2004 Ryan has also directed the burgeoning jazz program at City University’s Hunter College. Other notable teaching credits include frequent improvisation clinics conducted throughout the New York City public school system as part of the American Composer Orchestra’s educational outreach program, guest conducting local school jazz bands and all-region jazz bands, and his own private studio of trombone and improvisation students.

Learn more about Ryan, listen to sound clips, and view pictures at his website: www.ryankeberle.com

Blackbird
Ryan Keberle Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,

You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Overall Meaning

Ryan Keberle’s song Blackbird is a beautiful piece that has a deep meaning embedded in it. The song talks about a blackbird singing in the dead of night and how it learns to fly despite having broken wings. It talks about the struggles one faces in life but also emphasizes the importance of waiting for the perfect moment to arise. The blackbird in the song represents a person who has gone through a lot of pain and struggles but is determined to fly and be free.

The lyrics “take these broken wings and learn to fly” is a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and achieving one’s dreams. The reference to “sunken eyes” further emphasizes how the person in the song has gone through a lot of emotional pain and struggles. However, despite everything, the person is still waiting for the perfect moment to arise and is ready to embrace it with open arms. The song encourages the listener to believe in oneself and to not give up on their dreams. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of nights, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Overall, Ryan Keberle’s Blackbird is a beautiful song that reminds us to believe in ourselves and to not lose hope even in the darkest of times. It’s a song that speaks to the struggles of everyday life but also reminds us of the importance of waiting for the perfect moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird is singing during the darkest time of the night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Try to overcome your struggles and learn to soar

All your life
Throughout the entirety of your existence

You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You have been biding your time for the perfect opportunity to present itself

Black bird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird persists with its song, even during the most challenging of times

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
Find a way to open your eyes to new possibilities

You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Freedom was always your ultimate goal, and now the time has come to obtain it

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Take flight and let yourself soar

Into the light of the dark black night.
Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope

All your life
From the beginning of your life until now

You were only waiting for this moment to arise
This perfect moment that you have waited for has finally appeared