A Happy Fathers’ Day Jazz Tribute from CAT and Horace Silver

Horace Silver, a major contributor to and influencer of 20th century jazz,  tended not to play up that he was proficient in Portuguese, nor draw directly on his rich Portuguese musical upbringing. Song For My Father was his most famous jazz creation and reflects both his Portuguese and Brazilian influences.  Several versions of the song are offered here interspaced with the lyrics, including Silver’s own fully instrumental version from 1976, second in line …

 … Happy Fathers’ Day, enjoy!

If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good
That is my dad
The man
A human being so true
He could live like a king
‘Cause he knew
The real pleasure in life

LEON THOMAS PERFORMING

To be devoted to
And always stand by me
So I’d be unafraid and free

HORACE SILVER INSTRUMENTAL / NOCTAMBLUES FESTIVAL 1976

If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good
That is my dad
The man
A human being so true
He could live like a king
‘Cause he knew
The real pleasure in life

CARMEN SOUZA / SATELLIT CAFE PARIS 2010 (PORTUGUESE)

To be devoted to
And always stand by me
So I’d be unafraid and free

RAMONA COLLINS / GLASS CITY JAZZ CAFE 2007 (NON-TRADITIONAL LYRICS)

If there was ever a man
Who was generous, gracious and good
That is my dad
The man, The man

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER / PUERTO RICO JAZZFEST 1996 (SOME NEW LYRICS)