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Billy Strayhorn Biography
Composer / Pianist / Jazz Musician
For three decades, Billy Strayhorn was the composing and arranging partner of jazz great Duke Ellington. Strayhorn met Ellington in 1939; the bandleader hired him immediately and the two worked together until Strayhorn died in 1967. Strayhorn's compositions alone or with Ellington include "Lush Life," "Chelsea Bridge," "Johnny Come Lately," "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" and "Satin Doll." His most famous composition, "Take the 'A' Train," was inspired by the subway directions to Ellington's home for their first meeting. Strayhorn was born in Ohio but is often associated with Pittsburgh, where he spent a larger part of his childhood.
Other 20th-century jazz composers include Jelly Roll Morton, Miles Davis and Quincy Jones.
Blog posts mentioning Billy Strayhorn:
Four Good Links
Billy Strayhorn Biography
From the PBS site for Ken Burns's documentary Jazz
BillyStrayhorn.com
Biography, photos, discography and merchandise
Billy Strayhorn
Very brief entry, plus links, from a jazz fan
The Life of Billy Strayhorn
Very informative review of the film Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life
Vital Stats
Birth
Birthplace
Death
31 May 1967
(cancer of the esophagus, age 51)
Best Known As
Composer of "Take the 'A' Train"