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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

3rd December 2024

PERFORMERS
Essex Youth Chamber Orchestra
CONDUCTOR
Martin Hathaway
LOCATION
Charter Hall, Colchester, United Kingdom

3rd December 2024

PERFORMERS
Grossmont College String Ensemble and New City Sinfonia San Diego Community College Emeritus Ensemble
CONDUCTOR
Alyze Dreiling
LOCATION
grossmont community college, san diego, CA, United States of America

5th December 2024

PERFORMERS
Dorrance Dance Michelle Dorrance Josette Wiggan Hannah Heller
LOCATION
Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

5th December 2024

PERFORMERS
Carnegie Mellon University Philharmonic
CONDUCTOR
Daniel Nesta Curtis
LOCATION
Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

6th December 2024

SOLOISTS
; Ray Chen
PERFORMERS
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
CONDUCTOR
Jader Bignamini
LOCATION
Orchestra Hall, Detroit, MI, United States of America
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