Billy Strayhorn

Billy_Strayhorn,_New_York,_N.Y.,_between_1946_and_1948_(William_P._Gottlieb_08211).jpg
 
 

Billy Strayhorn was an African American who was a collaborator with Duke Ellington and a marvelous composer in his own right.

 
 
 

He is credited with composing a number of Songs often attributed to Ellington including the jazz classics Take The A Train and Satin Doll and three of the most sophisticated selections in the jazz idiom Lush Life, Chelsea Bridge. and Passion Flower. He was also a wonderful arranger and contributed many arrangements to the Ellington orchestra's repertoire . He also is listed as a registered composer with Ellington on a number of Suites including Such Sweet Thunder and Far East Suite.

 

Because of Ellington's vast audience and enormous personality, Strayhorn fell into anonymity as Ellington received the acclaim. He is often referred to as Ellington's "right hand man" and musical alter ego.