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Billy Strayhorn

1915 - 1967

American

Summary

Born in Dayton, OH, on 29 November 1915, the young composer and pianist Billy Strayhorn offered his composition Lush Life to Duke Ellington in 1938; less than a year later Strayhorn had become an arranger and pianist with the Ellington band, a collaboration that was to last until Strayhorn's death in 1967. His classical and jazz training, combined with sophisticated taste, was appreciated by Ellington, who described him as "my listener, my most dependable appraiser [and] critic."

Among the works that Strayhorn composed alone or with Ellington are the classics Take the A Train, Chelsea Bridge, Passion Flower, and Johnny Come Lately.

Several of these works are available in orchestral settings from the G. Schirmer, Inc. rental library, including:
  • Chelsea Bridge (1941)
    Duration: ca 5'
    arr. by Chuck Israels
    21+ca.22/4331/timp.2perc/hp/str

  • Happy Go Lucky Local, from 'Deep South Suite'
    Duration: 4'
    arr. by Chuck Israels
    2222/4331/timp.2perc/str

  • The Essential Ellington: The Music of Ellington and Strayhorn
    Duration: 12-14'
    arr. by Jeff Tyzik
    2222/4331/timp.3perc.eb/pf.hp/str
    Come Sunday (Introduction) * Take the A Train * Lush Life * Satin Doll * Perdido *Come Sunday * Things Ain't What They Used to Be

  • Satin Doll (vocal version) (1953)
    Duration: 3'
    arr. by Chuck Israels
    Voice; 2222/4331/timp.2perc/hp/str

News

Performances

6th December 2025

PERFORMERS
New West Symphony
CONDUCTOR
Mr. Michael Christie
LOCATION
Bank of America PAC Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States of America

7th December 2025

PERFORMERS
New West Symphony
CONDUCTOR
Mr. Michael Christie
LOCATION
Rancho Campana High School PAC, Camarillo, CA, United States of America
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