Phil Morrison Song Lyrics

THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER 9/11/2001

2011-09-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

9/11 Pictures Never Seen Before - NEVER FORGET

(Background information concerning the writing of this song)

Keith Williams and I were scheduled to leave for China the day after 9/11/2001 to perform in Shanghai but, as a result of the horrific events that took place in New York and elsewhere on the east coast, we were delayed and arrived in Shanghai on Sept 15th.

To our surprise, there was still a buzz going around regarding that tragedy, even though we were thousands of miles away from the U.S. And what was even more surprising was the reaction of the people we met when discussing that event. Here we were....in a country that for years was considered to be, if not our enemy, at least our adversary....communist China...and they were saying how sympathetic they were to America. particularly the victims in New York, and how much disdain they had for the perpetrators. It seemed as though China and its people were totally on our side.

At that time, we were performing at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Shanghai which, as you can imagine, catered to people from all over the world. The subject of 9/11 was constantly brought up with us (probably because we were Americans) and there was virtually unanimous support for America by folks of every nationality and area of the world including the Middle East. This widespread sentiment of support for America overshadowed the negativity of the event itself.

Although this spirit of world unity did not endure as long as we had hoped, as evidenced by the international conflicts that exist, it is our desire that a renewal of that spirit be rekindled and we have a more lasting unified environment reminiscent of:

"THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER"!

music by: Keith Williams
words by: Phil Morrison

It's morning time in Georgia - time to start the day
It rained last night the ground was wet - the sky a cloudy grey
Glancing at the TV news - to see what's goin' on
That's when I first became aware - something was very wrong

The TV man was talking fast - excitement in his voice
His pitch was high and very loud - as if he had no choice
Describing scenes in disbelief - somewhere in New York City
When planes flew into buildings - by men who showed no pity

THIS IS THE DAY WE'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER
AMERICA ... STRUCK ... BY TERROR
IT HAPPENED TUESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER
BUT.... THAT'S WHEN THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER

Grief and horror all around - how could they be so cruel
The planes were filled with passengers - and also filled with fuel
Suddenly the buildings fell; smoke was rising high
To carry those who were inside back to their home in the sky

Now that this tragedy's over - the question is "what should we do?"
We've tried that same old game before - "you hit me, then I'll hit you"
But what we need now is deeper - our spirit must be touched
To end this vicious cycle - which we all want so much

THIS IS THE DAY WE'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER
AMERICA.... STRUCK.... BY TERROR
IT HAPPENED TUESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER
BUT THAT'S WHEN THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER

We spend so much for armaments - missiles, tanks and bombs
With all the hunger in the world - you know there's something wrong
**We fight for our religion -'cause we claim it's right
**While innocent people suffer and die - is this what God would really like?

We must be more objective- listen to every position
There are so many perspectives - within the human condition
Assemble leaders the world can trust - men and women who.....
Guided by their conscience - will show us what to do

THIS IS THE DAY WE'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER
AMERICA.... STRUCK ....BY TERROR
IT HAPPENED TUESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER
BUT THAT'S WHEN THE WORLD CAME TOGETHER

(c)2001 keith williams/phil morrison

Barack Obama - "Yes We Can"

2011-03-16T19:42:00.001-07:00

BARACK OBAMA - HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

music by: Phil Morrison, Keith Williams words by: Phil Morrison

Click here to listen

Yes We Can! That's what he's always said.

Barack Obama!

Yes We Can! That's what he's always said.

Barack Obama!

People 'round the world - cheer the mention of his name
You see there's something special in this man
From Paris to Beijing - the voices say the same
Barack Obama, Yes We Can!!

You could feel the happiness - after his election
Peace between all nations is the plan
His words proclaim..World Unity.. is now the right direction
Barack Obama, Yes We Can!!

The violence and warfare - we do to one another
Does it matter how our children feel?
To fight against your enemy's to fight against your brother
We're One Human Family....that's for real!

Yes We Can! That's what he's always said. Barack Obama!

"Change" is the battlecry - to find a new solution
Everyone can lend a helping hand
All the nations 'round the earth will work to fight pollution
Barack Obama, Yes We Can!!

His background's international....color..black & white
Although America is his homeland
He's the champion for All people and he will do what's right
Barack Obama, Yes We Can!!

The violence and warfare - we do to one another
Does it matter how our children feel?
To fight against your enemy's to fight against your brother
We're One Human Family....that's for real!

(additional verses 2010...not on recording)

"Don't Ask Don't Tell" - a policy he made to disappear

Equal rights for all is our demand

Noone in this country should be made to live in fear

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

Health Care is a service that we need for everyone

His deep concern from when his term began

Many tried before him - but Obama got it done

Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

Unemployment, poverty....both need elimination

His words and deeds all tell us where he stands

Raising up the standards of our childrens' education

Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

9/11 came and we saw the brave responders

Saving people through the dust and sand

Now there's legislation - ignoring them no longer

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

The world moves toward disarmament - nuclear reduction

The building of more bombs is now banned

Passage of the "S T A R T Bill" limits their production

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

International harmony he's striving to attain

Soon our troops will leave Afghanistan

The image of America is back to "good" again

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

The industry for autos in this country is now back

The best cars are not only from Japan

With help they got from Washington - sales are back on track

Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

(additional verses 2011)

Committed to the goal that our country come together

Just listen to his message from Tucson

That words we say have consequences and may last forever

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can

Inherited big problems from the last administration

Solving them for us is why he ran

We can "Win The Future!" ...his words of inspiration

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

9/11 was the day when all the world was saddened

The death of many by an evil man...but

Then our president..caught Osama bin Laden

.....Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

         Yes We Can!
         That's what he's always said.
         Barack Obama!    ....We're Fired Up!!!

         Yes We Can!

         That's what he's always said.
         Barack Obama!

BARACK OBAMA...YES WE CAN

http://www.myspace.com/worldunityjazzensemble

Striving to be of Service to Humanity
by Promoting International Harmony through Music

Click here to listen.

DO YOU REALLY KNOW MALCOLM X?

2011-02-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

This piece is dedicated to Malcolm's friend "Shorty", who was my cousin. Shorty's real name was Malcolm Jarvis and he shared the vision of Malcolm X in their pursuit of spirituality and justice while turning their lives around from negativity upon release from prison. He frequently spoke to young people giving them inspiration before he died in 1998. Shorty was also the father of the great jazz drummer, Clifford Jarvis. FYI: In the Malcolm X movie, Spike Lee portrayed Shorty although Shorty played trumpet, not saxophone. Phil

lyrics by: phil morrison

Do you really know Malcolm?
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

Do You really know Malcolm?
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

Everywhere you go you see Malcolm on display

In Atlanta or Dallas, from New York to L.A.

His photos on a T-shirt, and you'll always see an "X"

But unless you know his message it's just a pretext

Do you really know Malcolm with his name on your clothes

Or is it just a fashion thing that comes and goes

Do you really know Malcolm or is his name just a word?

Same as others we've ignored like Coltrane & Bird

Do you really know Malcolm how he talked on economics?

And instead of knowin' dope we should know electronics

Do you really know Malcolm how he turned his life around
So no matter your condition, no one can keep you down!

Do you really know Malcolm, do you know his religion?
How it changed his life around when he found it in prison
Do you know what Malcolm said about drugs and alchohol?
'cause if you're messin' up you don't know him at all!

We can't forget our heroes & the people we admire...but
Do you really know Malcolm & why he was on fire?
When cities were decaying from racist neglect
Malcolm told us things we should never forget!

Like when the coffee's black, you know it's strong
And he'd tell you in a minute when you're doin' wrong
Develop your potential 'cause there's no limitation
And a good way to start is to get an education

"By any means necessary" he would say
To defend our people from the KKK!
But violence for Malcolm was not his game
His weapon of choice was using the brain

It wasn't enough just to talk that talk
Cause Malcolm wasn't jivin'..he was walkin' the walk
His message was for unity and don't depend on others
"Do for self, my sisters and brothers!"

He would tell us straight up about moral decline
It's not our culture to be dealing in crime
"Rise up my people" you would hear him say
"Respect the community, don't go astray"

Do you really know Malcolm when his movie's in style?
As if the message that he gave was only for a child
Do you really know Malcolm, how he lived his life
Using self-discipline and lots of sacrifice

Do you really know Malcom and his dignity?
When you curse your mom and grab your crotch for all the world to see
Do you really know Malcolm, wanna further his cause?
Learn about his values . don't be breakin' the laws

He'd shake up some people 'cause what he said was no joke
Check out his speeches and the books he wrote
But with all oppressed peoples he could surely relate
Then go up to Harvard and win a debate

The message he gave was mainly for us
We gotta help one another and that's a must
But helpin' don't come with drugs and a gun
Or gang-bangin' on a brother just for some fun

Let's remember Malcolm, keep his name on your lips
That "X" on your cap means you got to commit
If we acted like we knew what brother Malcolm said
We wouldn't kill each other..we'd unify instead

It ain't about slogans and walkin' round bad
Cause Malcolm was for real not just a fad
We gotta do him proud if we're gonna use his name
Cause some things that we're doin' would bring the brother shame

It takes a lot of heart in order to survive
If it wasn't for our spirit, we wouldn't be alive
Cause we're a noble people still strugglin' to be free
We came from kings and queens..check out our history

We should know by now there's nothing we can't do
Survival and pride has always brought us through
Just turn what you're doing in a positive direction
That's the surest way to make the Malcolm connection

Do you really know Malcom, that he was a family man
And a model for our young to be the best that they can
Do you really know Malcolm, how he traveled 'round the world
And he cared for all people, every boy every girl

Do you really know Malcolm at the Audubon Hall?
Where he sacrificed his life to give a wakeup call
Do you really know Malcolm, why his cause was just?
Let's respect our proud brother..he respected us!

For those who hear his name and say he stood for hate
Check him out just one more time - it's still not too late
Cause Malcolm was a man of peace and justice was his goal
You'll find he wanted harmony when all the truth is told

If you're really into Malcolm, and that's what you say
Learn all about the brother, don't go halfway!
Cause learnin' all you can, no matter what you find
Is what Malcom was about....developing the mind!
(c)1992 phil morrison

Click here to get information about Shorty's book.
He honored me by putting my photo on page 18 along with jazz great
Howard McGhee and jazz pianist and friend Walter Radcliffe.

Barack Obama - "Yes We Can"

2011-02-01T14:09:00.001-08:00

music by: Phil Morrison,
Keith Williams
words by: Phil Morrison

Click here to listen

Yes We Can!

That's what he's always said.

Barack Obama!

Yes We Can!

That's what he's always said.
Barack Obama!

Yes We Can! That's what he's always said. Barack Obama!

(additional verses 2010...not on recording)

"Don't Ask Don't Tell" - a policy he made to disappear

Equal rights for all is our demand

Noone in this country should be made to live in fear

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

Health Care is a service that we need for everyone

His deep concern from when his term began

Many tried before him - but Obama got it done

Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

Unemployment, poverty....both need elimination

His words and deeds all tell us where he stands

Raising up the standards of our childrens' education

Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

9/11 came and we saw the brave responders

Saving people through the dust and sand

Now there's legislation - ignoring them no longer

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

The world moves toward disarmament - nuclear reduction

The building of more bombs is now banned

Passage of the "S T A R T Bill" limits their production

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

International harmony he's striving to attain

Soon our troops will leave Afghanistan

The image of America is back to "good" again

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

The industry for autos in this country is now back

The best cars are not only from Japan

With help they got from Washington - sales are back on track

Barack Obama.....Yes, We Can!

(additional verses 2011)

Committed to the goal that our country come together

Just listen to his message from Tucson

That words we say have consequences and may last forever

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can

Inherited big problems from the last administration

Solving them for us is why he ran

We can "Win The Future!" ...his words of inspiration

Barack Obama....Yes, We Can!

         Yes We Can!
         That's what he's always said.
         Barack Obama!    ....We're Fired Up!!!

         Yes We Can!

         That's what he's always said.
         Barack Obama!

(....to be continued as we approach the 2012 election....:-)

http://philtrio.blogspot.com (....Obama Song with original lyrics)

http://www.myspace.com/worldunityjazzensemble

Striving to be of Service to Humanity
by Promoting International Harmony through Music

Click here to listen.

REMEMBERING DIZZY

2011-01-26T11:09:00.000-08:00

words & music by
Phil Morrison
Click to Listen

Afro Cuban rhythms groove - new harmonies are on the move
As sonic riffs dance on top - a classic music's born ....BEBOP!
With Bird he made this music grow - to heights where only giants go
Around the world this man got busy - with horn in hand they called him "Dizzy"

"Blowin' hard while cheeks inflate - from deep in his soul he'd create
Playin' notes fast and high - reachin' angels in the sky
Horn rim glasses he put in style - a french beret, a mischievous smile
With small goatee below his lip - no one can say he wasn't hip

But from the start he paid his dues - raised in the South where they lived the blues
He'd laugh and joke but Diz was tough - don't mess wit Diz, he'd take no stuff
Yet whenever you'd need a friend - Diz was there right to the end
Max, Moody, Mike Longo too - he was always there for you

In fact, he loved humanity - the planet earth was his country
Even in his band you'd find - people from all humankind
A master musician we can't deny - but don't forget Diz was a Baha'i
Which advocates WORLD UNITY - and Diz showed us how it should be!

c 1993 Phil Morrison

PHILANTHROPY

2011-01-25T04:33:00.000-08:00

(160 Jazz Artists Mentioned)

words & music by Phil Morrison click to listen

Charlie Parker (Bird) & Dizzy Gillespis (Diz)

(Rap/Verbal Verses)

1)Jazz! BeBop! - more precious than gold
   Taste it! enjoy! - it's food for the soul
   The masters came and sang their song
   Armstrong, Duke...the list goes on
   Miles, Sarah, Bird & Diz
   Respect it people...tradition lives!

2)Race music, jazz, hip-hop, funk
   Check out Horace - groove on Monk
   Tatum, Blakey, Prez & 'Trane
   Creative giants fed the flame
   Wynton,Branford, the Brecker brothers
   The torch is now passed on to others

3)Ray Brown, Blanton, Pettiford, LaFarro
   Durham, Mitchell, Rodney, Navarro
   Congress says...a national treasure
   Dolphy, Moody....dig King Pleasure
   Clifford, Bud, Mingus, Max
   It's our culture...know the facts

4)Roots in Africa...feel that spirit
   Moves your heart when you hear it
   Dexter, Ammons...tenors talkin'
   Percy, Pederson...basses walkin'
   Movin', groovin' - what's in a name?
   Bebop, blues...the roots are the same

5)Oscar, Milt...just down home swingin'
   That eternal groove is what they're bringin'
   Payton, Redman, McBride & Green
   Burnin' young lions are new on the scene
   While Chick & Herbie contemporize
   Reachin' the young...opening eyes

6)Garner, Shearing, Wilson, Waller
   Bechet & Bix...who's to follow
   Strayhorn writes - Hodges plays
   An era gone...their spirit stays
   Whitfield, Scofield, Metheny, Malone
   But Wes Montgomery still holds the throne

   (2nd Vocal Chorus)

   Back in the forties when this music had begun
   You never knew how great this music would eventually become
   Very few would accept it....
   New York City was the place where they would play
   And even there some would reject it
   This classic music Bebop that should always be respected


7)Elvin, Tony, Higgins, Haynes
   Webb, Jones, Rich & Payne
   Bishin', bashin' - snares & toms
   Brushin' with feathers...droppin' bombs
   Gomez, Sam, Buster, Ron
   Your BASSic bottom's goin' strong

8)Cedar, Barry, Bishop, Barron
   Evans, McCoy, Jarrett, McPherrin
   Garland, Flanagan, Kelly with Miles
   Ornette & Desmond...opposite styles
   Henderson, Lavano improvise....
   Phineas Newborn would mesmerize

9)Griffin, Konitz, - Rivers, Lateef
   Shorter, Woods, Byas & Heath
   Swingin', singin' saxophone
   Giant Steps...In A Mellow Tone
   Coleman Hawkins paved the way
   For Sonny Rollins to have his say

10)Benny Carter standing tall
   Stitt, Getz, Cannonball
   Basie's band - pure hard swing
   Dig Freddie Green do his thing
   Chambers, McClean, Philly Joe
   New York City was the place to go

   (3rd Vocal Chorus)

   Look at the kinds of music that they teach in school
   And you will find that classic European seems to be the rule
   We need Jazz to be taught there
   It originated in the USA
   So let's preserve this worthy art
   Paying tribute to the ones who paid their dues right from the start


11)Cassandra, Diane, Tierney & Krall
   Nat and Ella ...the standard for all
   Hartman, Eckstine.... Nancy, Dinah
   Dee Dee, Betty...nothing finer
   Carmen, Christy, Connors, O`Day
   Check out Billie Holiday

12)Sun Ra, Cecil, Ayler, Shepp
   A peek OUTSIDE is what you get
   Shaw, Little, Rodney, Blue
   Donaldson, McPherson, Haig & Drew
   Al, Zoot, Hinton, Slam
   You say "let's"...they say "jam"

13)East coast groove - way out west
   Hampton Hawes passed the test
   Wardell, Edwards, Morgan, Land
   Criss, Clark and the Vinegar man
   Jamal, JJ and Mulligan too
   Brubeck, Baker and the MJQ

14)Can`t no-one say that jazz is dead
   Throughout the world this music spread
   Grappelli, Toots and Marian knew
   Airto, Flora and Zawinul too
   Brazil, Europe and even Japan
   Where Sadao and Toshiko had a band

15)BB and T-Bone ... singing the blues
   Brothers and sisters - payin' dues
   Here at home they faced rejection
   'Cause they wore the wrong complexion
   Who defines what music`s "Legit"
   Is "jazz" a word that doesn't fit?

16)Remember those who came this way
   To move the hearts when they play
   We named a few - there's many more
   It's serious music we can't ignore
   Neglected in its land of birth
   But it's respected around the earth!!

   (4th Vocal Chorus)

   Now that you've heard this composition that we've played
   Please remember who the masters were-the history they made
   Let's expose them to others
   It's our culture and we look at them with pride
   They were sisters and our brothers
   Deserving recognition that so long has been denied

   .....PHILANTHROPY!   click to listen
   (c) 2001 Phil Morrison

HIS MESSAGE: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2011-01-13T10:35:00.000-08:00

words: Phil Morrison music: Ron Zack

Click here to listen

We shall overcome... We shall overcome, someday...

  You wonder why with so much need there's not enough concern
   The problems of the world affect us all
   The poverty, the wars, the hate - will we ever learn
   Those barriers between us have to fall

   But every now and then you'll find that someone comes along
   Who reminds us of our moral obligation
   Humanity will not survive if we keep on doing wrong
   This goes for every person, every nation

(chorus)
   His Message was for love and peace
   And justice he would cry
   The racism and wars must cease
   His dream must never die

   People proud marched to the song "we shall overcome"
   Arm in arm in unity they'd sing (and)
   The voice behind this movement was known by everyone
   That special man - Martin Luther King

   "I have a dream" this man proclaimed as he rose to take a stand
   To bring about some change in this great nation
   And when he spoke you'd always hear the voice of a fearless man
   His words would give us hope and inspiration

(chorus) His Message was for love and peace
   And justice he would cry
   The racism & wars must cease
   His dream must never die

(bridge) Why can't the people of the world be unified forever
   Or do we have to share the pain before we come together
   The welfare of our children and their future are at stake
   So should we look for answers now or leave it up to fate?

  (chorus) His Message was for love and peace
   And justice he would cry
   The racism and wars must cease
   His dream must never die.....

   (c)zack/morrison

Award for Song for Shanghai EXPO

2010-05-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

Posted by Linda Meccouri
ANTHEM FOR SHANGHAI EXPO 2010
2ND HONOR FROM CHINA FOR AMERICAN JAZZ MUSICIANS

Listen to the Anthem Here.

In April of 2008, jazz musicians, Phil Morrison and Keith Williams were notified that their song "Beijing Olympics 2008 - Hao Yuin" was selected by the Beijing Olympics Committee as an official song for the Beijing Olympics 2008.

Along with world famous producer/songwriter David Foster, Phil Morrison and Keith Williams were among only a handful of foreign writers to have their song selected ...and within that group, Phil and Keith were the only native born Americans (David Foster was born in Canada).

Two years later, in April, 2010, Keith and Phil received official notification that another one of their songs entitled "Shanghai Expo - 2010" was selected to be an anthem for that event. It is noteworthy that these two jazz musicians, along with music industry giant Quincy Jones, were the only Americans to be recipients of such distinguished awards from the world's most populous country hosting two major world events.

Phil Morrison, a Boston native, and Keith Williams, from the California Bay Area, have both been longtime Georgia residents and spent much of their professional career performing in China, Japan and Brazil. This wide geo- graphical spectrum gives them a broad framework to draw from when collaborating on their various musical projects. A further indication of their international background is the name they gave the group that they co-lead which is called "World Unity Jazz Ensemble" (WUJE-woojay). The group usually consists of musicians from different countries and cultures using their traditional instruments.

Although the Beijing Olympics may be more well known, the Shanghai World Expo 2010 may have more economic impact internationally and their latest award winning song may be useful to the many participating countries and their sponsors.....such as Coca Cola, General Motors and Siemens.

Phil and Keith were first told of the Shanghai Expo while performing with their friend and world renowned erhu player (Chinese violin), Ma Xiao Hui.....who, along with Yo-Yo Ma, was featured in the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". She knew the signifcance of this event and she was also aware that her friends had won an award for their Beijing Olympics song so she suggested that they submit a song to the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Although Phil Morrison and Keith Williams have performed at the Ritz Carlton Hotels in Shanghai & Osaka and the Wangfujing Hotel in Beijing, their music is frequently heard in concert at various colleges both in the USA and China. Their CDs "China Skies" & "Hollow Reed" feature Chinese and Japanese instruments within a Jazz context which underscores the fact that their talent reaches far beyond that of "song-writer"......and far beyond national borders!!

http://www.myspace.com/worldunityjazzensemble

http://philtrio.blogspot.com

http://keithpiano.blogspot.com

Striving to be of Service to Humanity
... by Promoting International Harmony through Music

Michael Jordan .. What can you say?

2009-08-22T04:52:00.000-07:00

by Phil Morrison & Keith Williams Click to hear the song

Michael Jordan ... what can you say?
In basketball -- the greatest human ever to play.
Doing things you've never seen -- night after night
Then show you why he's superman and take off in flight.

Michael Jordan ... what can you say?
The man can beat you anytime; don't get in his way.
He'll take you up high, then burn you down low
Ain't no stoppin' Michael -- he's the star of the show.

Michael Jordan ... what can you say?
He can hit 50 and do it any day;
Offense or defense -- free throws, too
There's nothing on the court that the brother can't do

Michael Jordan ... what can you say?
He'll slam down a facial, then knock down the "trés" ;
Or handling the rock, he's so silky smooth
And don't try to challenge him, forget it , you lose.

Michael Jordan ... what can you say?
Watching his moves is like watching ballet.
No matter how you play the game, he'll steal you blind
Cause he's not only quick, but he uses his mind

Michael Jordan ... what can you say?
From North Carolina in the U. S. of A.
A genuine hero to every boy and girl
A member of the Dream Team -- and known around the world.

Michael Jordan ... what can you say?
Michael Jordan -- the brother can play
Michael Jordan -- loved by one and all
Michael Jordan -- the king of basketball!

c 1996 Morrison/Williams

Click to hear the song

A Jazz Contribution to Black History Month.........

2009-02-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

Dedicated to the "jazzers" of the world...past & present...famous & not famous...musicians & non-musicians. (to hear the music & words, see URL below).

PHILANTHROPY

words & music Phil Morrison

(1st Vocal Chorus-12 bar bebop blues tune)

Here is a style of music that we offer you
It was created by musicians who we are indebted to
They were true pioneers....

And the songs they played will last throughout the years....
Even now they can be heard
Around the world they know the names of Dizzy and the Bird.....

(Rap/Verbal Verses)

1)Jazz! BeBop! - more precious than gold
Taste it! enjoy! - it's food for the soul
The masters came and sang their song
Armstrong, Duke...the list goes on
Miles, Sarah, Bird & Diz
Respect it people...tradition lives!

2)Race music, jazz, hip-hop, funk
Check out Horace - groove on Monk
Tatum, Blakey, Prez & 'Trane
Creative giants fed the flame
Wynton,Branford, the Brecker brothers
The torch is now passed on to others

3)Ray Brown, Blanton, Pettiford, LaFarro
Durham, Mitchell, Rodney, Navarro
Congress says...a national treasure
Dolphy, Moody....dig King Pleasure
Clifford, Bud, Mingus, Max
It's our culture...know the facts

4)Roots in Africa...feel that spirit
Moves your heart when you hear it
Dexter, Ammons...tenors talkin'
Percy, Pederson...basses walkin'
Movin', groovin' - what's in a name?
Bebop, blues...the roots are the same

5)Oscar, Milt...just down home swingin'
That eternal groove is what they're bringin'
Payton, Redman, McBride & Green
Burnin' young lions are new on the scene
While Chick & Herbie contemporize
Reachin' the young...opening eyes

6)Garner, Shearing, Wilson, Waller
Bechet & Bix...who's to follow
Strayhorn writes - Hodges plays
An era gone...their spirit stays
Whitfield, Scofield, Metheny, Malone
But Wes Montgomery still holds the throne

(2nd Vocal Chorus)

Look at the kinds of music that they teach in school
And you will find that classic European seems to be the rule
We need Jazz to be taught there

It originated in the USA so let's preserve this worthy art
Paying tribute to the ones who paid their dues right
from the start

7)Elvin, Tony, Higgins, Haynes
Webb, Jones, Rich & Payne
Bishin', bashin' - snares & toms
Brushin' with feathers...droppin' bombs
Gomez, Sam, Buster, Ron
Your BASSic bottom's goin' strong

8)Cedar, Barry, Bishop, Barron
Evans, McCoy, Jarrett, McPherrin
Garland, Flanagan, Kelly with Miles
Ornette & Desmond...opposite styles
Henderson, Lavano improvise....
Phineas Newborn would mesmerize

9)Griffin, Konitz, - Rivers, Lateef
Shorter, Woods, Byas & Heath
Swingin', singin' saxophone
Giant Steps...In A Mellow Tone
Coleman Hawkins paved the way
For Sonny Rollins to have his say

10)Benny Carter standing tall
Stitt, Getz, Cannonball
Basie's band - pure hard swing
Dig Freddie Green do his thing
Chambers, McClean, Philly Joe
New York City was the place to go

(3rd Vocal Chorus)

Back in the forties when this music had begun
You never knew how great this music would eventu-
ally become
Very few would accept it....
New York City was the place where they would play
And even there some would reject it
This classic music Bebop that should always be
respected

11)Cassandra, Diane, Tierney & Krall
Nat and Ella ...the standard for all
Hartman, Eckstine.... Nancy, Dinah
Dee Dee, Betty...nothing finer
Carmen, Christy, Connors, O`Day
Check out Billie Holiday

12)Sun Ra, Cecil, Ayler, Shepp
A peek OUTSIDE is what you get
Shaw, Little, Rodney, Blue
Donaldson, McPherson, Haig & Drew
Al, Zoot, Hinton, Slam
You say "let's"...they say "jam"

13)East coast groove - way out west
Hampton Hawes passed the test
Wardell, Edwards, Morgan, Land
Criss, Clark and the Vinegar man
Jamal, JJ and Mulligan too
Brubeck, Baker and the MJQ

14)Can`t no-one say that jazz is dead
Throughout the world this music spread
Grappelli, Toots and Marian knew
Airto, Flora and Zawinul too
Brazil, Europe and even Japan
Where Sadao and Toshiko had a band

15)BB and T-Bone ... singing the blues
Brothers and sisters - payin' dues
Here at home they faced rejection
'Cause they wore the wrong complexion
Who defines what music`s "Legit"
Is "jazz" a word that doesn't fit?

16)Remember those who came this way
To move the hearts when they play
We named a few - there's many more
It's serious music we can't ignore
Neglected in its land of birth
But it's respected around the earth!!

(4th Vocal Chorus)

Now that you've heard this composition that we've played
Please remember who the masters were-the history they made
Let's expose them to others
It's our culture and we look at them with pride
They were sisters and our brothers
Deserving recognition that so long has been denied

.....PHILANTHROPY!

c 2001 Phil Morrison

(click "Philanthropy in the links on the right to hear the music with these lyrics)

http://cdbaby.com/cd/pmorrison3

Beijing Olympics Award

2009-02-18T05:31:00.000-08:00

Listen to the song on our MySpace Page

Harmonious society By Raymond Zhou (China Daily)

2008-11-03T22:38:00.000-08:00

Harmonious society
By Raymond Zhou (China Daily)

Jazz duo Phil Morrison (left) and Keith Williams enjoy playing their East-meets-West creations in Beijing. Guan Xin

The sound from Hollow Reed instantly piques your ears. It has a jazz rhythm section, a sprinkling of Latin percussion, but the main melody is played on an erhu, the traditional Chinese instrument sometimes known as "the Chinese two-string fiddle". One cannot be sure whether this is East or West. The best way to describe it is East-meets-West, or what Phil Morrison and Keith Williams call "international harmony".

Hollow Reed is the latest album by American jazz musicians Morrison and Williams, who see their performance in China as not just another gig, but an attempt to fuse two musical styles. Distinct as it is, jazz can be in harmony with a quintessentially Chinese sound like the erhu or dizi, say the jazz duo. The erhu featured on this CD is played by Jiebing Chen, who has a history of seeking out jazz musicians from the US for collaboration.

Some of the tracks lean one way or the other - either more jazzy or more Chinese. China Skies, composed by Morrison, conjures up an image of a Chinese girl singing a folk song in a southern town crisscrossed with canals and boats. The Duke Ellington standard Prelude to a Kiss, on the other hand, is a better example of fusion, where the jazz accompaniment is not eclipsed by the erhu and the erhu takes on a special jaunty feel, almost like a Chinese girl sashaying across a New Orleans saloon.

It may be hard to categorize but this new jazz sound is the product of almost a decade of cultural blending.

Phil Morrison and Keith Williams first came to China in 1999 and played the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai for six months. Since then, they have played in Shanghai four times.

"There was a Chinese orchestra playing in the hotel lobby, complete with a conductor. That was the first time I'd heard Chinese music," recalls Morrison, who plays the bass and has written many of the songs they play.

Pretty soon, they were mingling with local musicians. A Chinese alto-saxophonist joined them for a while; dizi (Chinese bamboo flute) and erhu players jammed with them; they appeared in local concerts and lectured in the local music conservatory and children's palaces. "The jazz scene is growing in Shanghai," says Williams, who plays the piano and sometimes provides the vocals too.

Before the duo arrived in Beijing, they didn't know what to expect. "August 1 was the first day we played here, right before the Olympics, and it has been a pleasant surprise," says Morrison. "The city is just as cosmopolitan as Shanghai and the streets are so clean."

"Great food! Great nightlife!" Williams chimes in.

Unfortunately, the Hilton Wangfujing Beijing, where they currently perform six nights a week (except Monday), has had only a "soft opening", which means the turnout is not as big as it should be. But once the music starts, they throw themselves into it, heart and soul, regardless of the audience size.

Viva, vocalist for the Hilton gig, adds a nice touch of glamour and verve. She has been performing in Asia since 2003 and can croon any tune from a repertoire of 200 standards - she knows the familiar ones are often the most popular. In the daytime, she teaches singing and English lessons.

One night recently, an audience member requested The Moon Represented My Heart (Yueliang Daibiao Wo de Xin), the Chinese love song, and he himself hummed the vocal a la karaoke. "This song has been a favorite with the Chinese audience," says Williams.

Jazz, which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African-American communities, is not as popular in China as other America-initiated musical genres, such as hip-hop. "I can feel the Chinese audience is trying to figure out what's going on," says Williams. "There's this mystique about jazz. They want to know more about it, yet they assume it is played in smoky rooms only."

As proponents of this quintessentially African-American music, Williams and Morrison feel a responsibility to expose Chinese music lovers to more varieties of jazz and jazz played with a high level of musicianship.

"Music is a bridge," emphasizes Morrison, and their motto is "striving to be of service to humanity by promoting international harmony through music". It is printed on their business cards and pops up in their conversations as often as the refrains in one of the old chestnut tunes.

As American musicians, they also want to use their music to communicate with the local Chinese. "We came to play only three days after 9/11 and many Shanghainese expressed their sympathy to us," recalls Morrison. "For that, I'm very grateful."

In 2003, after hearing that Beijing had won its bid to host the 2008 Olympics, Morrison decided to do something to express what he and his collaborator felt - he penned a song titled Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing. The "good luck" tune was later submitted to Olympic organizers and was picked as one of the songs to be featured during the Games.

"The message of the song is so positive and it recognizes the international spirit of the Games," says Morrison. The use of guzheng and dizi, both traditional Chinese instruments, added a Chinese vibe to the upbeat samba tempo. In later compositions, the jazz duo, who have released five CDs, including China Skies, have made it a point to "capture the Chinese flavor".

They were back performing in Shanghai last night. The "China Skies" they have explored have enriched their repertoire and, in return, they will paint this sky with splashes of great American music mixed with a few brushes of Chinese color.

(China Daily 11/03/2008 page10)

Beijing Article

2008-09-24T04:56:00.000-07:00

Beijing Olympics Wrap-Up With Brenda Wood

2008-08-26T16:52:00.001-07:00

Beijing Good Luck!

2008-05-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge.

The World Unity Jazz Ensemble and the Coastal Symphony of Georgia

2008-04-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

Selections From WUJE & The Coastal Symphony of Georgia:
(click to listen, right-click to download)

China Skies / In A Chinese Tea Garden - Live
Skylark - Live
WUJE Introductions By Keith Williams

Selections From WUJE's "Hollow Reed" CD:

Hollow Reed
Persian Prophet

Jazz, Latin, Asian, & Reggae in Concert with Symphony Orchestra
On Monday, April 21 2008, the audience of the Coastal Symphony of Georgia welcomed to the stage the World Unity Jazz Ensemble as part of their “Music of America” program. With the first downbeat the audience knew it was in for a musical experience very different from any other heard or seen in Brunswick, GA. As the beautiful Xiao Hui Ma (pronounced Shaow - Way) from China, graced the stage bedecked in traditional Chinese dress with her erhu (pronounced Ahr-hoo) in hand, the audience welcomed her with befitting applause. This world-renowned artist can be heard on the soundtrack of the popular film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" playing the erhu alongside Yo-Yo Ma.
The World Unity Jazz Ensemble (WUJE) began a five song set of original compositions of bassist/composer Phil Morrison which were skillfully arranged for full symphony orchestra by pianist/arranger Keith Williams. This composer/arranger team assembled the jazz oriented WUJE while performing in Asia. On this evening's performance, Xiao Hui Ma was the featured soloist with WUJE and accompanied by the Coastal Symphony of Georgia. It was truly an extraordinary experience to hear Asian flavored melodies played with the haunting and beautiful sound of the erhu, energized by jazz and Latin rhythms performed by world class musicians of many different races and cultures. The only non-original standard tune was the Hoagy Carmichael classic "Skylark" which was exquisitely sung by Kaori Yamada of Japan, whose physical beauty was matched only by that of her voice.
WUJE (woo jay) and Xiao Hui Ma finished their performance with the song Persian Prophet. This tune blended a hint of a mid-east melody with a reggae beat, performed by American, Chinese, Japanese, Puerto Rican, Filipino, Black & White musicians, indicating the potential of a unified human family, while demonstrating that different musical genres (jazz, classical, Latin, Asian, Reggae) can be performed harmoniously. The audience roared to life, applauding the superb performance of the ensemble. Many had never before seen an erhu, yet instantly recognized its earthy, violin-like quality that is sometimes mistaken for a woman's voice. The Songs performed by the World Unity Jazz Ensemble are also featured on their new album entitled “Hollow Reed” which is available on cdbaby.com or locally at Daddy Cate's Coffee in downtown Brunswick, or Moondance Vintage Clothing and Palm Coast Coffee in the village on St. Simons Island.
Noteworthy addition: A new song written by Phil Morrison and Keith Williams has been selected as an official song for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games!

Pupil of the Eye - video

2008-03-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

PUPIL OF THE EYE

Remembering Dizzy

2008-02-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

REMEMBERING DIZZY

words & music by:
phil morrison

Afro Cuban rhythms groove - new harmonies are on the move
As sonic riffs dance on top - a classic music's born ....BEBOP!
With Bird he made this music grow - to heights where only giants go
Around the world this man got busy - with horn in hand they called him "Dizzy"

"Blowin' hard while cheeks inflate - from deep in his soul he'd create
Playin' notes fast and high - reachin' angels in the sky
Horn rim glasses he put in style - a french beret, a mischievous smile
With small goatee below his lip - no one can say he wasn't hip

But from the start he paid his dues - raised in the South where they lived the blues
He'd laugh and joke but Diz was tough - don't mess wit Diz, he'd take no stuff
Yet whenever you'd need a friend - Diz was there right to the end
Max, Moody, Mike Longo too - he was always there for you

In fact, he loved humanity - the planet earth was his country
Even in his band you'd find - people from all humankind
A master musician we can't deny - but don't forget Diz was a Baha'i
Which advocates WORLD UNITY - and Diz showed us how it should be!

c 1993 Phil Morrison

The Earth Is One Country

2008-02-11T22:45:00.000-08:00

words & music by: Phil Morrison

The Earth is One Country if we'd only realize
With so many different nations - it's time to unify
The Earth is One Country and people 'round the world
Want the same things for their children - every boy and every girl

The Earth is One Country - one human family
With peace and justice as our goal - to live in harmony
The Earth is One Country - to care for one another
No matter your religion - your class or your color

Of course we love our sisters and brothers
And family unity is what we need ... but
Love is something we can share with others and
It will grow if we just plant the seed

The Earth is One Country - though borders may divide ...
but The heart knows no boundaries - it's how we feel inside
The Earth is One Country - within this universe ... and
We're proud of our great nation - but we're human beings first

Thirteen separate states became a nation
The USA was born and grew in size
Now we need a world civilization ... and
A universal language would be wise

The Earth Is One Country and there's no need for hate
With all our new technology we can communicate
The Earth Is One Country for peace let us unite
We're flowers of one garden in our Creator's sight

(c)1995 phil morrison

We Can Live Together

2008-02-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

music by: Keith Williams & Phil Morrison

words by: Phil Morrison

Go to any city - and this is what you'll see
Every race of people - and that's how it should be
The problem that we're facing - is not just only color
The answer's found with justice - & how we treat each other

Hispanic, Asian, Black & White...families are the same
Raising kids to do what's right...regardless of your name
If we all looked alike......it'd be a boring place
We're all from different cultures...but still one human race

WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER - but first we've got to try
No race is superior - it's time to unify
WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER - respecting one another
We're from the same Creator - so that makes me your brother..

It's time to live in harmony - 'cause this is our home
We can find solutions - but we can't do it alone
If racism and justice - were talked about in school
The people in this country - might use the golden rule

WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER - and that's how it should be
With cities growing stronger because of unity
WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER - and then that day will come
When we will have prosperity and peace for everyone

(c) 2007 pbm/ckw

Philanthropy

2008-02-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

Words and Music Phil Morrison c 2001

11)Cassandra, Diane, Tierney & Krall
Nat and Ella ...the standard for all
Hartman, Eckstine.... Nancy, Dinah
Dee Dee, Betty...nothing finer
Carmen, Christy, Connors, O`Day
Check out Billie Holiday

12)Sun Ra, Cecil, Ayler, Shepp
A peek OUTSIDE is what you get
Shaw, Little, Rodney, Blue
Donaldson, McPherson, Haig & Drew
Al, Zoot, Hinton, Slam
You say "let's"...they say "jam"

13)East coast groove - way out west
Hampton Hawes passed the test
Wardell, Edwards, Morgan, Land
Criss, Clark and the Vinegar man
Jamal, JJ and Mulligan too
Brubeck, Baker and the MJQ

14)Can`t no-one say that jazz is dead
Throughout the world this music spread
Grappelli, Toots and Marian knew
Airto, Flora and Zawinul too
Brazil, Europe and even Japan
Where Sadao and Toshiko had a band

15)BB and T-Bone ... singing the blues
Brothers and sisters - payin' dues
Here at home they faced rejection
'Cause they wore the wrong complexion
Who defines what music`s "Legit"
Is "jazz" a word that doesn't fit?

16)Remember those who came this way
To move the hearts when they play
We named a few - there's many more
It's serious music we can't ignore
Neglected in its land of birth
But it's respected around the earth!!

(4th Vocal Chorus)

Now that you've heard this composition that we've
played
Please remember who the masters were-the history
they made
Let's expose them to others
It's our culture and we look at them with pride
They were sisters and our brothers
Deserving recognition that so long has been denied

.....PHILANTHROPY!

c 2001 Phil Morrison

...dedicated to the "jazzers" of the world...past &
present...famous & not famous...musicians & non-musicians....

Pupil of the Eye

2008-02-01T07:05:00.001-08:00

(click to listen)

Pupil of the Eye - The source of our vision
Pupil of the Eye - The Creator's gift of sight
A gift for all humanity - Seekers of the light

There are so many things we say that influence the mind
Those hidden little messages that are so hard to find
To show just one example, let's talk about a color
How black is shown as negative in one way or another

Of course we know that's not the case when we refer to white
In fact we use the color white to represent what's right
But those of us who have a tone that's of a darker hue
See Blackness in a different light... a different point of view

Pupil of the Eye - The source of our vision
Pupil of the Eye - The Creator's gift of sight
A gift for all humanity - Seekers of the light

Sounds that enter through the ear - melodies of old
Orchestrating different notes to touch and soothe the soul
A symphone of music creating harmony
Appreciating differences with its diversity

A special walk, that soulful talk flavored with pizzazz
Innovative music - just listen to some jazz
Raggae, Hip Hip, Samba, and don;t forget the Blues
Ways to find expression, years of payin, dues

Pupil of the Eye - The source of our vision
Pupil of the Eye - The Creator's gift of sight
A gift for all humanity - Seekers of the light

The Queen of class and dignity, Oprah - seen and heard
America's classical music from Duke, Diz and Bord
International leadership with strength but always calm
Promoting Peace and Unity... Mr. Kofi Annan

Uplifting words that touch your heart from Maya Angelou
A pioneer in medicine... Dr. Charles Drew
Arthur Ashe and Jim Brown, speaking out, they weren't afraid
Marva Collins and Bill Cosby.. helping youth make the grade

Malcom, Martin, Mandela... standards for the world
To make the world a better place for every boy and girl
Beige, Brown, Black and White, a variety of colors
Yet one human family... all sisters and brothers

Bearing burdens from the past - enslaved and sometimes sold
Enduring untold horrors while survival was the goal
With faith and perseverance - despite the racist drama
Came forth a U.S. President - his name...Barack Obama

The earth's human garden we see before out eyes
Representing Unity, if we'd only realize
But as we care for flowers, so none will be neglected
Hamnity is much the same, we all must be respected

Pupil of the Eye - The source of our vision
Pupil of the Eye - The Creator's gift of sight
A gift for all humanity - Seekers of the light

Seekers of the light... Baha'u'llah... World Unity

alternate lyric
(But darkness equals mystery a search for the unknown
Seeking Spirituality... we know we're not alone)

c 1990 Phil Morrison

The central theme of the Baha'i Faith is the Oneness of Humankind. The Prophet-Founder Baha'u'llah spoke out at a time when the color black had a negative connotation that contributed to racist attitudes. The Baha'i writings remind us that the pupil of the eye, the source of our vision is indeed black thus helping to put in balance the social implications of the color spectrum.