Billy Strayhorn
November 29, 1915 – May 31, 1967
Billy Strayhorn was a jazz composer and musician who is most famous for his work alongside Duke Ellington. Strayhorn first became interested in music as a child while living with his grandmother. By the time he was high school, Strayhorn had formed a combo and was writing his first songs. One of which would eventually become one of his signature songs, “Lush Life.” Although more interested in classical music, Strayhorn set his sites on jazz, since it was next to impossible for a Black man to have a career playing classical music in those days. Strayhorn met Ellington after a show in 1938, impressing the man enough to hire him on as arranger and composer. They collaborated with each other for the next 25 years. Besides “Lush Life,” Strayhorn penned such classics as “Chelsea Bridge,” and “Take The A Train.” Billy Strayhorn died of esophageal cancer at the age of 51.
What’s more “Sweet Pea” so thoroughly mastered Ellington’s wry piano style that he often substituted for him on record dates– also without due accreditation– such as at least half those classic small-group sessions led by Rex Stewart, Johnny Hodges, and Barney Bigard. No, he never got the praise or the royalties, but he was happy with the arrangement… pun intended.
Died On This Day
It seems like yesterday, but it has been forty-three years. How time flies.
Now a new generation of musicians have come to appreciate Strayhorn’s great compositions. Whatever he missed in his lifetime in terms of recognition, his legacy is now beginning to show.
Thanks for remembering.
A. Alyce Claerbaut
President
Billy Strayhorn Songs, Inc.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your nice comments. I’m happy to made a place for you to do just that
Vince