Son of Jamaican immigrants, Kelly was born in Jamaica, and started his professional career as a teenager, initially as a member of R&B groups. After working with Lee Abrams, Cecil Payne, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Dizzy Gillespie he is perhaps best known for working with trumpeter Miles Davis, he was a member of Miles Davis's Quintet from 1959 to 1963. He appears on Davis' seminal 1959 album Kind of Blue, replacing Bill Evans on the track "Freddie Freeloader". Kelly likewise appears on a single track from John Coltrane's Giant Steps, replacing Tommy Flanagan on "Naima".
He recorded 14 titles for Blue Note in a trio (1951), and worked with Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lester Young during 1951-1952. After serving in the military, Kelly worked with Dinah Washington (1955–1957), Charles Mingus (1956–1957), and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band (1957), but he would be most famous for his stint with Miles Davis (1959–1963), recording such albums with him as Kind of Blue, At the Blackhawk, and Someday My Prince Will Come. When he left Davis, Kelly took the rest of the rhythm section (bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb) with him to form his trio.
Kelly recorded as a leader for Blue Note, Riverside Records, Vee-Jay, Verve, and Milestone. Kelly had a daughter, Tracy, in 1963, with partner Anne. The track "Little Tracy", on the LP Comin' in the Back Door, is named after Kelly's daughter. Tracy Matisak is a now a Philadelphia television personality.
Kelly's second cousin, bassist Marcus Miller, also performed with Miles Davis in the 1980s and 1990s. Another cousin is pianist Randy Weston.
Kelly died in Toronto, Canada, from an epileptic seizure in April 1971.
Discography
As leader
1951: Piano Interpretations (Blue Note)
1958: Piano (Riverside)
1959: Kelly Blue (Riverside)
1959: Kelly Great (Vee-Jay)
1960: Kelly at Midnight (Vee-Jay)
1961: Wynton Kelly! (Vee-Jay)
1961: Someday My Prince Will Come (Vee-Jay)
1963: Comin' in the Back Door (Verve)
1964: It's All Right! (Verve)
1965: Undiluted (Verve)
1965: Smokin' at the Half Note (Verve)
1965: Blues on Purpose (Xanadu)
1967: Full View (Milestone)
1968: Last Trio Session (Delmark)
As sideman
With Julian "Cannonball" Adderley
Things Are Getting Better (1958)
Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago (1959)
Cannonball Takes Charge (1959)
African Waltz (1961)
The Cannonball Adderley Quintet Plus (1961)
With Nat Adderley
Much Brass (1959)
That's Right! (1960)
Naturally! (1961)
With Lorez Alexandria
Alexandria the Great (Impulse!, 1964)
More of the Great Lorez Alexandria (Impulse!, 1964)
With Gene Ammons
Night Lights (1970)
With Walter Benton
Out of This World (Jazzland, 1960)
With Bob Brookmeyer
Jazz is a Kick (1960)
With Joy Bryan
Make the Man Love Me (1961)
With Donald Byrd
Modern Jazz Perspective (Columbia, 1957) - with Gigi Gryce
Off to the Races (Blue Note, 1958)
With Betty Carter
Out There (1958)
With Paul Chambers
Go... (1959)
1st Bassman (1960)
With James Clay
The Sound of the Wide Open Spaces!!!! (Riverside, 1960)
With Jimmy Cleveland
Cleveland Style (1957)
With John Coltrane
Coltrane Jazz (1961)
With King Curtis
The New Scene of King Curtis (1960)
Soul Meeting (1960)
With Miles Davis
Kind of Blue (1959)
Someday My Prince Will Come (1961)
With Curtis Fuller
The Curtis Fuller Jazztet (Savoy, 1959)
With Dizzy Gillespie
Dee Gee Days: The Savoy Sessions (Savoy, 1951-52 [1976])
Dizzy and Strings (1954)
Dizzy Atmosphere (1957)
Birks' Works (1957)
Dizzy in Greece (1957)
Dizzy Gillespie and Stuff Smith (Verve, 1957)
Dizzy Gillespie at Newport (Verve, 1957)
With Benny Golson
Benny Golson's New York Scene (Contemporary, 1957)
The Modern Touch (Riverside, 1957)
Turning Point (Mercury, 1962)
With Paul Gonsalves
Gettin' Together (1960)
With Dexter Gordon
The Jumpin' Blues (1970)
With Grant Green
First Session (1960)
With Johnny Griffin
Introducing Johnny Griffin (1956)
A Blowin' Session (Blue Note, 1957)
With Eddie Harris
Cool Sax, Warm Heart (Columbia, 1964)
With Jimmy Heath
The Thumper (Riverside, 1959)
On the Trail (Riverside, 1964)
With Bill Henderson
Bill Henderson Sings (1959)
With Joe Henderson
Four (1968)
Straight, No Chaser (1968)
With Ernie Henry
Seven Standards and a Blues (Riverside, 1957)
Last Chorus (Riverside, 1957)
With Billie Holiday
Lady Sings the Blues (1956)
With Helen Humes
Swingin' with Humes (1961)
With Illinois Jacquet
The Blues That's Me (1969)
With Eddie Jefferson
Letter From Home (1962)
With J. J. Johnson
The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson Volume 2 (1954)
With Philly Joe Jones
Drums Around the World (Riverside, 1959)
Together! (Atlantic, 1961) - with Elvin Jones
With Sam Jones
The Chant (Riverside, 1961)
Down Home (Riverside, 1962)
With Roland Kirk
Domino (1962)
With Steve Lacy
Soprano Sax (1957)
With Abbey Lincoln
That's Him! (Riverside, 1957)
It's Magic (Riverside, 1958)
Abbey Is Blue (Riverside, 1959)
With Booker Little
Booker Little (1960)
With Johnny Lytle
The Loop (Tuba, 1965)
New and Groovy (Tuba, 1966)
With Chuck Mangione
Recuerdo (1962)
With Blue Mitchell
Big 6 (1958)
Blue Soul (1959)
Blue's Moods (1960)
A Sure Thing (1962)
With Hank Mobley
Peckin' Time (1958)
Soul Station (1960)
Roll Call (1961)
Workout (1961)
Another Workout (1961)
With Milt Jackson and Wes Montgomery
Bags Meets Wes! (1961)
With Wes Montgomery
Full House (1962)
Smokin' at the Half Note (1965)
With Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan Vol.3 (1957)
Here's Lee Morgan (1960)
With Mark Murphy
Rah (1961)
With David Newman
Staight Ahead (1960)
With Art Pepper
Gettin' Together (1960)
With Sonny Red
Out of the Blue (1959)
With Dizzy Reece
Star Bright (1959)
With Wayne Shorter
Introducing Wayne Shorter (Vee-Jay, 1959)
With Sonny Rollins
Sonny Rollins, Vol. 1 (1956)
Newk's Time (Blue Note, 1957)
With Don Sleet
All Members (1961)
With Frank Strozier
Fantastic Frank Strozier (1959)
With Art Taylor
A.T.'s Delight (Blue Note, 1960)
With Clark Terry
Serenade to a Bus Seat (Riverside, 1957)
With Teri Thornton
Devil May Care (Riverside, 1961)
With Phil Upchurch
Feeling Blue (1967)
With Dinah Washington
Back to the Blues (1962)
It's All Right
Wynton Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say it's all right, it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
We're gonna move it slow
When lights are low
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
Now listen to the beat
Kinda pat your feet
You got soul and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
When you wake up early in the morning
Feelin' sad like so many of us do
Hum a little soul, make life your goal
And surely something's got to come to you
And say it's all right
Say it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now everybody clap your hands
Give yourself a chance
You got soul and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Someday I'll find me a woman
Who will love and treat me real nice
Then my woe's got to go
And my love, she will know
From morning, noon and night
And she's got to say it's alright
Say it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Everybody clap your hands
Now give yourselves a chance
The Wynton Kelly Trio's song "It's All Right" is a feel-good tune about living life to the fullest and enjoying the moment. The song opens up with a repeated phrase "say it's all right, it's all right" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. Kelly is suggesting to his listeners that no matter what life throws at you, everything will be all right as long as you have a good time. As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that when we move slowly, we can hear the music more, implying that when we take things at a slower pace, we can appreciate life more. Kelly also encourages the listeners to clap their hands and give themselves a chance, implying that they should let loose and enjoy themselves.
The chorus of the song suggests that even if we wake up feeling sad, we should hum a little soul and make life our goal, and surely something good will come our way. Kelly emphasizes the fact that everyone has soul, and it's all right to let it show. The verses of the song conjure up the picture of Kelly yearning for a woman who will love and treat him well, and when he finds her, his woes will disappear.
In summary, Wynton Kelly's song "It's All Right" is a song that encourages people to enjoy life and its moments. It is a song about the power of music and how it can lift us up when we're feeling low. It encourages us to embrace our soul and let it shine, and reminds us that no matter what life throws at us, we can always have a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Say it's all right, it's all right
Everything is okay, so don't worry too much
It's all right, have a good time
Don't take life too seriously, have fun
We're gonna move it slow
We'll take our time with this
When lights are low
In a relaxed and mellow atmosphere
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
Even a slow beat can be enjoyable
Now listen to the beat
Pay attention to the music
Kinda pat your feet
Start tapping your foot to the rhythm
You got soul and everybody knows
You have a unique and special quality that others recognize
When you wake up early in the morning, feeling sad like so many of us do
When you wake up feeling down and depressed
Hum a little soul, make life your goal
Sing a song that lifts your spirits up
And say it's all right
Tell yourself that everything will be okay
Now everybody clap your hands
Let's celebrate and enjoy the music together
Give yourself a chance
Be open and receptive to new experiences
Someday I'll find me a woman
I hope to meet the right person someday
Who will love and treat me real nice
Someone who will care for me and treat me well
Then my woe's got to go
My problems will disappear
And my love, she will know
My partner will understand and support me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS L MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam Olson
1. It's All Right 0:00
2. South Seas 2:51
3. Not a Tear 7:13
4. Portrait of Jennie 13:10
5. Kelly Roll 17:47
6. The Fall of Love 22:41
7. Moving Up 24:44
8. On the Trail 28:41
9. Escapade 33:13
10. One for Joan 36:10
Sam Olson
1. It's All Right 0:00
2. South Seas 2:51
3. Not a Tear 7:13
4. Portrait of Jennie 13:10
5. Kelly Roll 17:47
6. The Fall of Love 22:41
7. Moving Up 24:44
8. On the Trail 28:41
9. Escapade 33:13
10. One for Joan 36:10
Ronald Unkel
Among the best ever Jazz pianists, during those exiting years. Kenny Burrell strumming his beaut stuff and Candido laying down that ‘rolling’ beat. Great upload Don & Cheers!
jackie hard-bop lady brown
Wow ! Wonderful what you are telling me , nkce and thak you so mutch . Oh yes Booby Timmons . The piece "Soul Time " my mind & heart is lost in the beauty of this composition . I check it out , we have some common favorite musicians
This is very lovely ! Always nice talk with you . ciao !
Ronald Unkel
@jackie hard-bop lady brown Wynton was and still is one of my favourite pianists with Bobby Timmons, Cedar Walton, Walter Bishop jr and in a round-about-way Keith Jarrett. This time last year a - Wynton Kelly Tribute - was planned in Prague with the Najponk trio (Najponk has his own channel here on Youtube, you should check it out, Jacqueline). Wynton’s daughter Tracy was going to be there in remembrance of her genius father. Thru Covid it was regrettably cancelled, which was a darn shame. But hopefully in the very near future will go thru. I will let you know. Be well & Cheers!
jackie hard-bop lady brown
Hello Ronald ! Yes ! I agree with you 100 % and a nice comment . I like you stylo ! Wynton Kelly , is one of the best of the best pianist . One of the albums I ask myself , can music be even better & more beautiful than here ? By listening this album , I get goosebumps every time and I'm in the free fall intou happiness . Oh yes I repeat myself , there is Candido my Cuban Star ; with Candido and Billy Taylor I danced in my happiness .Ronald is on extraordinary album , absolutely indispensable , brièvement - a must have .
Dig it and Cheers 🥂
Najponk Jazz
Oh Man!!!! This is The record of my life🎹Wynton Lives 🎹 thank you so much for this upload👌 WONDERFUL RECORD!!!! 🎹
しかましげあき
ケリーのスインギーな快演が最高ですね！特に好きなアルバムですね！バレルのギターとコンガのキャンディドも最高！
Fabio El Mono
C'est un de mes disques fétiches et mon pianiste de jazz favori, en plus d'être l'accompagnateur préféré de nombreuses chanteuses de jazz et de musiciens tels que Miles Davis ou Cannonball Adderley. Wynton swingue comme une panthère et improvise as a bird of paradise. J'ai rencontré Candido et Jimmy Cobb à New York en 2004. Jimmy Cobb jouait avec de jeunes musiciens au Fat Cat, un club de Manhattan. Aux dernières nouvelles, ils sont tous les deux encore vivants. Grand disque touché par la grâce, un de ceux que j'emmènerais sur l'île déserte.
Bre Cheese
c'est génial, oui?!
Ricardo Pinilla
¿acaban en el original los temas en "fade"? si es así, qué pena; y si no es así, también qué pena; una de las cosas imprescindibles para mi del jazz es esa forma de acabar no acabando, y no esa bajada de volumen de estudio