Anthony Hervey Quintet "Crystal Stair"

Crystal Stair
Written By | Anthony Hervey

Often the words precede the music. More often, for me, the music is the words and the words are the music. The inspiration for this song, Crystal Stair, is the Langston Hughes poem, “Mother to Son,” which famously begins, “Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” She, nevertheless, has continued to climb and encourages her son to do likewise. Similarly, my mother has been a force of encouragement for me that has pushed me to greater heights.

Mother to Son
By | Langston Hughes

Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

Recorded at Sear Sound NYC August 26th, 2022

Sound Engineer:
Todd Whitelock

Musicians:
Anthony Hervey | Trumpet
Sarah Hanahan | Alto Saxophone
Isaiah J. Thompson | Piano
Philip Norris | Bass
Miguel Russell | Drums

Video:
https://www.annayatskevich.com/

Buy Album:
https://outsideinmusic.bandcamp.com/a...

#anthonyhervey #jazz #trumpet #blues #soul #crystalstair #mothertoson #langstonhughes #wordsfrommyhorn

Keep in touch with me:
Website: http://anthonyherveymusic.com/
Instagram:   / anthony.her.  .
Facebook:   / anthony.herv.  .