Billy Strayhorn
Billy Strayhorn
Over the past few years, I have come across the name Billy Strayhorn time and again, whether in social media posts, DJ sets focusing on queer artists, or when googling queer influences on jazz and swing. But it wasn’t until I did some more extensive research for a small exhibition on queer artists in jazz and blues last year that I realized what a significant influence Strayhorn had on jazz and, in particular, on Duke Ellington’s music. During my research, I eventually came across David Hajdu’s biography “Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn” (1996). Although the internet provides some basic facts and information about Billy Strayhorn’s life and music, this book gave me a much broader, more complex, and more personal view of Strayhorn’s life. I was fascinated, amazed, and above all, moved. Fascinated by the musical genius that Strayhorn is described as, by his journey from classical music to jazz, by his close connection to Duke Ellington, and by the many, sometimes contradictory, facets of this collaboration.
