A big band song that makes everyone happy! A great way to introduce children to the amazing sounds of jazz. You’ll want to sing and dance around the room, and eat watermelon. Parents, grandparents, educators and musicians pick up your little ones and get singing and dancing.
The story behind the song
Horns, saxophone, piano and a vibrant vocal combine to offer children an authentic experience of big band music, in a song written just for them.
This song had a simpler start in life. A novelty ukulele, shaped like a watermelon, was used in the Ukubebe Music early childhood classes, much to everyone’s delight.
Ukubebe teacher, Cara Frank, had been holidaying in Hawaii, where she found the watermelon ukulele and brought it home to Sydney for classes.
Jo Steel, Ukubebe Director, wrote a new song, Yummy Watermelon, for the summer program, and the children used fruit shaped shakers to join in with singing and playing the song. Their favourite fruits were watermelon, strawberry and pineapple, so they stuck.
Jo approached Misha Mullov-Abbado to collaborate on a Jazz album for children, as they shared the same vision: that children should have quality music, well written, arranged and performed by live musicians; music that inspires children to sing, dance and learn an instrument. Jo thought Yummy Watermelon would work well as a big band number. She started working on a new version of the song and the result is Misha’s arrangement, Watermelon Jazz.
Performed live by musicians from the various bands Misha plays in, he has created a vibrant swing big band arrangement, full of life and fun. Reminiscent of the big band era of the 1930-40’s, Watermelon Jazz is easy listening, with a great solo introduction for horns, a call and response section, and memorable lyrics to sing along to.
Being a joy-bubble, Cara Frank’s enthusiasm and love of life can be heard in her bright vocal, especially at the end with her release of a joyful scream.
lyrics
Lyrics
Yummy watermelon, watermelon, juicy and sweet
Watermelon I just love to eat
Watermelon, watermelon, yum-yum-yum!
Watermelon, watermelon in my tum
Watermelon
1, 2, 3, 4 roll out the door
Yummy strawberry, strawberry, juicy and sweet
Strawberry I just love to eat
Strawberry, strawberry, yum-yum-yum!
Strawberry, strawberry in my tum
Strawberry
1, 2, 3, 4 roll out the door
Yummy pineapple, pineapple, juicy and sweet
Pineapple I just love to eat
Pineapple, pineapple yum-yum-yum!
Pineapple, pineapple in my tum
Pineapple
1, 2, 3, 4 roll out the door
credits
from Watermelon Jazz,
released October 1, 2021
Music and lyrics by Jo Steel
Arrangement: Misha Mullov-Abbado
Vocals: Cara Frank
Piano: Liam Dunachie
Saxophones: Tom Smith
Trumpets: James Davison
Trombones: Yusuf Narçin
Double Bass: Misha Mullov-Abbado
Drums: Scott Chapman
Co-produced by Jo Steel and Misha Mullov-Abbado
Edited and mixed by Misha Mullov-Abbado
All instruments recorded & engineered by Misha Mullov-Abbado, London
Vocals recorded by Josh Wermut at XO Studios, Sydney
Mastered by Donal Whelan at Hafod Mastering, Wales
Album artwork by Katherine Hall at Design & Opinion, Sydney
Jo Steel has combined her love of work as an early childhood educator and musician to
develop Ukubebe
Music: a specialist early
childhood music program in Sydney. Jo's dream is that her second album Watermelon Jazz, will touch the lives of families with young children: that they will sing, dance, be uplifted and inspired in a shared love of fabulous music and the great sounds of jazz....more
This Seattle duo explore the more darkly psychedelic side of indie rock on this retrospective album, covering songs recorded from 2009-2019. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 20, 2022
Hooky songs that will appeal to kids and grown-ups alike, smash-cutting the irreverence of The Moldy Peaches with wild psychedelia. Bandcamp New & Notable May 30, 2020
This children’s record isn’t just for kids. Smoky soul grooves and bizarro pop chestnuts make for an entertaining listen. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 21, 2018
