Introduction
“For there 's Basie, Miller, Satchmo and the king of all Sir Duke.” Stevie Wonder.
There is no bigger name in the history of American music, especially in Jazz, than Duke
Ellington. But many don’t know the man behind many of Sir Duke’s timeless classics, that man
is Billy Strayhorn. It is said these two had a symbiotic relationship where neither would have
been as good without the other. Strayhorn, the genius composer and arranger, to Ellington the
charismatic performer and band leader the world knew and loved. Duke Ellington said, "....Billy
Strayhorn was my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brainwaves in
his head, and his in mine." The importance of their relationship is symbolized
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In the life a music of Billy Strayhorn I will show how Billy Strayhorn’s; Origin, his
upbringing, His world, the life and times of Harlem in the 1930’s, and His work all conspired to
make Strayhorn one of the composers, writing the soundtrack of a people and a nation at a
pivotal time in American history.
Billy’s
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I have discussed his origin, his context in the Harlem renaissance, and the timelessness of his works especially his signature song, “Take the A Train.” I would like to
conclude with how I have been personally affected.
Writing this paper has been bitter sweet for me. I trace my musical heritage to both of my
Grandfather’s both of whom were passionate about music and both were Jazz musicians and both
have passed away. My Father’s father was a Drummer, and my Mother’s Father was a Mouth
Organ player. My Paternal Grandfather would sit me down as a kid in his sitting room with his
reel to reel tapes and make me listen to classics from the Duke, and Benny Goodman, we weren’t
allowed to talk while the music was playing. But were asked to discuss it once it was finished.
My Maternal Grandfather would play a different game called, Name that song,” where he would
jump on his organ and play standards that we needed to be able to guess, not always
successfully. Sitting here writing this paper listening to the music of Billy Strayhorn