Story Behind The Song
Newport Jazz festival 1956. Duke Ellington's career revived by a stunning 27 chorus solo by saxophonist Paul Gonsalves.
Song Description
A tribute song designed for a big band to pick up and improvise the middle section. The theme is the Duke Ellington band's performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. A famous performance in the history of Jazz.
| Song Length |
4:03 |
Genre |
Pop - Easy Listening, Jazz - Big Band |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
In High Spirits, Delighted |
Subject |
Musician, Movies |
| Similar Artists |
Robbie Williams, Micheal Buble |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
JAZZ IN THE PARK
There was Jazz in the park, but the people were leaving,
All at once there were miles of smiles, as the band went wild and Gonsalves played,
Well!
Even trees swayed in time, while the birds became frantic,
Trying to work out the notes to sing, to join this swing
The band had started.
The music went on and on, and the crowd started dancing,
The music went on and on, and the crowd started cheering,
And so they played, over and over 'till the crowd became a single thing!
There was love in the air, and the muse was inspired,
In a place they called Freedom Park,
Though the skies went dark and the thunder came.
The music went on and on, and the crowd kept on dancing,
The music went on and on, and the crowd kept on cheering,
And so they played, over and over and the crowd became a single thing!
A girl in black was dancing on the chairs.
Possessed by music and spirits in the air.
And the band kept the score at chorus 27,
And the people who heard him play,
Felt sure that day they'd gone to heaven!
The music went on and on, and the crowd kept on dancing,
The music went on and on, and the crowd kept on cheering,
And so they played, over and over and the crowd became a single thing!