Epistrophy

[Various pieces of jazz compiled by Marsalis] "I would like to play a, little tune I just composed not so long ago" "Ms. Billie, Ms. Billie, Ms. Billie Holiday" [HORNS] [drum roll] [piano keys played] [HORNS] "Byrd?" [trumpet solo] [group horns] "The music called jazz" [HORNS] [Verse 1: Guru] Its roots are in the sounds of the African Or should I say the mother, bringin' us back again From the drummin' on the Congo We came with a strong flow and continue to grow Feet move to the beat of the ?t'balo? Now, dig the story and follow For then it landed, on American soil Through the sweat, the blood and the toil Hear "Praise the Lord," shouted on chain gangs Pain they felt, but it helped them to maintain Scott Joplin's rags, Bessie Smith's blues St. Louis blues, they were all the news Ringin' smooth, in all the listeners' ears Fulfillin' the needs, and plantin' the seeds of a jazz thing King Oliver's group was a train comin' through To Chicago, bringin' the New Orleans groove And when Satchmo blew, the audience knew Basin Street Blues was no whorehouse tune It was music, great to dance to Great to romance to, with a lot to say to you Relayin' a message, revealin' the essence of a jazz thing [DJ Premier cuts "Jazz Music"] [Verse 2: Guru] In the 40's came be-bop, the first be-bop The real be-bop, so let me talk About Diz' and Bird, givin' the word Definin' how a beat could be so complete Playin' with ferocity, thinkin' with velocity About ornithology, or anthropology And even Epistrophy, and this is real history Thelonious Monk, a melodious thunk No mistakes were made with the notes he played His conception, was recondite A star glowin' bright among dim lights The critics did cite that he sounded alright And Charlie Mingus, such nimble fingers Droppin' the bass all over the place And Max Roach, cymbals sockin' Bass drum talkin', snare drum rockin' Restructurin' the metaphysics of a jazz thing John Coltrane, a Man Supreme He was the cream, he was the wise one The impression of Afro Blue And of the promise that was not kept He was a Giant Step And there was Ornette Coleman, he was another soul man The original invisible, playin' great music I wonder why the bankers couldn't use it Now, listen, see The real mystery is how music history Created by Whiteman or any other white man That pretended he originated And contended that he innovated a jazz thing (Of course, we know who can really blow) Scheamin' on the meanin' of a jazz thing [Verse 3] And this music ain't dead, so don't be misled By those who said that jazz is on its deathbed 'Cause when Betty Carter sings a song Ain't nuttin' goin' on but simply good music And you won't refuse it She's takin' her time, makin' the nuances rhyme Sonny Rollins, tenor saxophone With a big old tone, recitin' poems With notes as words, and haven't you heard (NEXT STOP BUTTER, RIGHT PAST OLEO) Now there's young cats blowin' And more and more people, yes, they will be knowin' Jazz ain't the past, this music's gonna last And as the facts unfold, remember who foretold The 90's, will be the decade of a jazz thing [DJ Premier scratches "I love jazz music"] A jazz thing