Billy Strayhorn got his due recently from a major US repertory orchestra. Listeners may hear part of the tribute on Sunday. Here’s the announcement from Jim Wilke of Jazz Northwest.
Composer Billy Strayhorn was born 100 years ago, November 29, 1915, and his music was played in three concerts this month by The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra co-directed by Clarence Acox and Michael Brockman. Highlights from one of those concerts will air on Jazz Northwest this Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2 PM Pacific on 88.5
KPLU and on the web at kplu.org. Special guests for the concert include David Hajdu (pictured with the SRJO), author of Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn, and saxophonist Roxy Coss, formerly of Seattle, now active on the New York scene.
Billy Strayhorn worked hand-in-hand with Duke Ellington on some of their most loved and enduring music including individual songs and suites of music such as Such Sweet Thunder and The Far East Suite. Music from those suites as well as some of Strayhorn’s enduring songs including “Lush Life” and “Chelsea Bridge” are among those played in this hour-long concert broadcast, recorded live at The Kirkland Performance Center across Lake Washington from Seattle.
