Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family. His father, Thomas Turrentine, Sr., was a saxophonist with Al Cooper's Savoy Sultans, his mother played stride piano, and his older brother Tommy Turrentine became a professional trumpet player.
He began his prolific career with blues and rhythm and blues bands, and was at first greatly influenced by Illinois Jacquet. In the 1950s, he went on to play with the groups of Lowell Fulson, Earl Bostic, and at the turn of the decade, Max Roach.
Turrentine received his only formal musical training during his military stint in the mid-'50s. In 1959, he jumped from the frying pan into the fire when he left the military and went straight into the band of the great drummer Max Roach.
He married the organist Shirley Scott in 1960 and the two frequently played and recorded together. In the 1960s, he started working with organist Jimmy Smith, and made many soul jazz recordings both with Smith and as a leader.
In the 1970s, after his professional split and divorce from Scott, Turrentine turned to jazz fusion and signed for Creed Taylor's CTI label. His first album for CTI, Sugar proved one of his biggest successes and a seminal recording for the label. He worked with Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, George Benson, Bob James, Richard Tee, Idris Muhammad, Ron Carter, Grant Green and Eric Gale, to name a few. He returned to soul jazz in the 1980s and into the 1990s.
Turrentine lived in Fort Washington, Maryland from the early 90s until his death.
He died of a stroke in New York City on September 12, 2000 and is buried in Pittsburgh's Allegheny Cemetery
Sir Duke
Stanley Turrentine Lyrics
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With a language we all understand
With an equal opportunity
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
But just because a record has a groove
Don't make it in the groove
But you can tell right away at letter A
When the people start to move
They can feel it all over people
They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people
Music knows it is and always will
Be one of the things that life just won't quit
But here are some of music's pioneers
That time will not allow us to forget
For there's Basie, Miller, Sachmo
And the king of all Sir Duke
And with a voice like Ella's ringing out
There's no way the band can lose
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
I can feel it all over-all over now people
Can't you feel it all over
Come on let's feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
Everybody-all over people
In Stanley Turrentine's song "Sir Duke", music is described as being a world within itself with a universal language that everyone can understand. The lyrics convey the idea that music is an equal opportunity for all to enjoy, regardless of their background or circumstances. However, the song suggests that just because a record has a groove, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's in the groove. We can tell right away, from the beginning of the song, when people start to move, that they can feel the power of the music.
The chorus emphasizes this feeling of excitement and energy that people experience from listening to music. The repetition of "you can feel it all over people" creates a sense of unity among music listeners. The song pays tribute to some of the most iconic musicians of all time, including Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, and of course, Sir Duke himself, Duke Ellington. The song recognizes their influence on the power of music and how they continue to be legendary pioneers even after their passing. The female artist Ella Fitzgerald is also mentioned, with her voice ringing out as a symbol of the band's success. The song is a celebration of life's joys through the power of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Music is a world within itself
Music is a self-contained world, that operates on a different plane from everyday life.
With a language we all understand
Music communicates in a way that everyone can comprehend, regardless of language or culture.
With an equal opportunity
Music does not discriminate based on race, gender, or social status.
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
Regardless of where someone comes from or who they are, everyone can participate in music by singing, dancing, or clapping their hands.
But just because a record has a groove
Not all music is created equal, and just because something has a good beat does not mean it's excellent music.
Don't make it in the groove
A record having a good beat alone is not enough to be considered great music.
But you can tell right away at letter A
The beginning of the song tells you right away if it's good music or not.
When the people start to move
The audience physically reacting to the music is a sure sign that it's excellent music.
They can feel it all over
The music's impact is widespread and intense, felt deeply by all who experience it.
Music knows it is and always will
Music is aware of its power and endures despite changing circumstances.
Be one of the things that life just won't quit
Music is one of the few constants in life that endures despite whatever else happens.
But here are some of music's pioneers
There are some musicians whose contributions to music are so significant that they are known as pioneers and legends.
That time will not allow us to forget
The contributions of these pioneers to music cannot be erased by the passage of time.
For there's Basie, Miller, Sachmo
Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and Louis Armstrong are some of the pioneers of jazz and swing music.
And the king of all Sir Duke
Sir Duke refers to Duke Ellington, who's regarded as one of the greatest jazz composers of all time.
And with a voice like Ella's ringing out
Ella Fitzgerald was a celebrated jazz singer known for her incredible voice and delivery.
There's no way the band can lose
Having someone like Ella as part of the band ensures success because of how remarkable she is.
You can feel it all over
The music's impact is widespread and intense, felt deeply by all who experience it.
I can feel it all over-all over now people
The impact of the music is so powerful that it's impossible not to feel it.
Can't you feel it all over
The intensity of the music is so palpable that it's challenging not to be swept up in it.
Come on let's feel it all over people
Let's all experience the music together and feel its power.
You can feel it all over
The music's impact is widespread and intense, felt deeply by all who experience it.
Everybody-all over people
The music has the power to bring people together, crossing boundaries and borders.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind