For jazz, pop and Great American Songbook enthusiasts today marks another important birthday, that of Billy Strayhorn. He was the genius songwriter and arranger behind many of Duke Ellington's hits if not his fame. I have written about Strayhorn in a few posts over the years but never devoted one to him until today when I found Scott Johnson's Power Line tribute, Lush Life, just could not be ignored. Do check it out and make a note of his mention of Terry Teachout's new biography of Duke Ellington, a study that explores the Ellington-Strayhorn partnership at length.
As Johnson notes, the song, Lush Life has many fine interpretations. He makes mention of my favorite version. And thanks to You Tube, readers can listen to the Johnny Hartman-John Coltrane interpretation and make their own decision.
To me, it's the best. Hartman is superb here. No equal. Add Coltrane and we have even greater music history.
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