In his early teens, Kuhn studied with legendary teacher Margaret Chaloff who schooled him in the “Russian Technique”, an invaluable tool for tone production and projection. Chaloff’s son, Serge Chaloff, baritone saxophonist for Woody Herman, hired the 13 year-old pianist to play in his group. Throughout his teens Kuhn continued to play in Boston jazz clubs with, amongst other visiting celebrities, Coleman Hawkins, Chet Baker and Vic Dickenson.
After graduation from Harvard College, Kuhn attended the Lenox School of Music where he recorded with Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry. The faculty included Bill Evans, George Russell, and Gunther Schuller. While at Lenox, Kuhn met trumpeter Kenny Dorham and began a two-year stint, interrupted when Kuhn was asked to join John Coltrane’s newly-formed quartet.
Kuhn next joined Stan Getz’s band, which included bassist Scott LaFaro. After a period with Art Farmer, he formed the first Steve Kuhn Trio, with drummer Pete LaRoca and bassist Steve Swallow. At the end of the 1960s he spent four years living in Europe, where his performance had a significant impact upon local players. Upon returning to the United States, Kuhn began his long-term affiliation with ECM, resulting in a string of important albums including “Trance”, “Ecstasy”, “Non-Fiction” and the collaborations with Sheila Jordan, “Playground” and “Last Year’s Waltz”.
In the mid-80’s, Kuhn co-founded the popular All Star Trio, with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster, and launched a new, and still evolving, edition of his trio with bassist David Finck – drummers for the latter have included Joey Baron (as on the ECM recording “Remembering Tomorrow”), Lewis Nash and Billy Drummond. He continues to tour widely, with a strong following in Europe and, especially, Japan where his albums frequently appear in the jazz charts.
Danny Boy
Steve Kuhn Lyrics
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From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
The lyrics of Steve Kuhn's famous song 'Danny Boy' consists of four verses, with the theme being the separation of loved ones. The song is addressed to the singer, Danny Boy who must leave his loved one behind and venture out into the world. The song speaks about the things that Danny Boy will witness as he makes his way from one place to another. It talks about the beautiful sights that he will encounter, as he makes his way through the mountains and valleys, and how he must go on this journey alone.
The lyrics of the second verse tell Danny Boy to come back to his loved one when the seasons change, and the flowers are in bloom. They implore him to return, so that they can be together again. They assure Danny Boy, that regardless of whether it is summer or winter, they will always be waiting for his return. The final verse of the song is the most poignant, as it speaks about Danny Boy's eventual return to his loved one's side. The lyrics state that if Danny Boy returns, and his loved one is no longer alive, he should kneel and say a prayer for them. They assure Danny Boy that their spirit will be with him, and that their love will keep him warm even in death.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Oh, Danny, the beautiful sounds of the bagpipes are calling out to you.
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The music echoes through the valleys and over the mountains.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
The warm summer has ended, and the flowers of the season are wilting.
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
You must leave me and go on with your life, while I stay behind.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Return to me when the meadows are green and the sun is shining.
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
Or come to me when the valley is silent and covered in snow.
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
I will wait for you, whether the day is bright or dark.
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
Oh, Danny, I love you more than words can express!
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
But when you return and the flowers have died,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
If I have passed away, as I may have by then,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
You'll come to the place where I am laid to rest,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And you'll kneel down and recite a prayer for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And I will be aware of your presence, even if you walk softly above me.
And all my grave will warmer sweeter be,
My resting place will feel more comforting and peaceful.
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
Because you'll bow down and express your love for me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
I will rest in peace, knowing that you will come to me when the time is right.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Frederick E. Weatherly, Yoyo Roehm
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind