The Musical Genius That Helped Propel Duke Ellington To International Fame

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 including, Take the A Train, Chelsea Bridge, My Little Brown Book, Day Dream, Something to Live For, and Lotus Blossom. I have written about Strayhorn in a few posts over the years but never devoted one to him until I found Scott Johnson's Power Line tribute, Lush Life, from 2013. Do check it out and make a note of his mention of Terry Teachout's biography of Duke Ellington, a study that explores the Ellington-Strayhorn musical partnership at length.

Here's an added treat for some context: the Ellington-Fitzgerald version of Lush Life that Johnson references is again available on You Tube.

That song has a remarkable number of fine interpretations. He makes mention of my favorite version. And thanks to You Tube, readers can listen to the Johnny Hartman-John Coltrane offering and make their own decision.

To me, it's the best. Given Strayhorn's remarkable tapestry of words and music,  Hartman is superb here. No equal. Add Coltrane and we have even greater music history in that it is the only recording he made with a vocalist. 

Unfortunately, Strayhorn never emerged from Ellington's shadow to enjoy the limelight. His full contribution to the world of music emerged only after his death in 1967, the publication of Ellington's autobiography in 1973, and further research on their collaboration.