Celebrating 100 Years of Billy Strayhorn! !

by Mister Promo | February 3, 2015

Billy Strayhorn

Billy Strayhorn. Born November 29, 1915 in Dayton, OH. Billy was known as one of American History's greatest composer, lyricist, arranger and pianist.
His parents were Lillian Young Strayhorn and James Nathanial Strayhorn. He was the youngest of nine siblings (four of which died). Growing up, there were many struggles. The family moved from home to home, city to city. Until finally in 1924 the family settled in Pittsburgh, PA.
Billy attended Westinghouse High School and Pittsburg Musical Institute for piano lessons.

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Post writing his first classical waltz in 1934. He would get introduced to Jazz. This introduction caused Billy's musical emphasis to change.

In 1937, he started to compose in this genre and founded his first jazz group. One year later, he became a protégé of Duke Ellington after meeting the renowned musician and composer in Pittsburgh. He remained with Ellington for the next 25 years.

(See more on the topic just above by clicking "1937")

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During his independent adult years, he has resided in the then beautiful city of Paris. And his final years were spent in NYC.

Billy Strayhorn passed away May 13, 1967 at age 51.

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Kelly-Strayhorn Theater event celebrates life of a jazz legend

By Natalie Bencivenga / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Place: Kelly-Strayhorn Theater on Saturday, November 29th, 2014.

The Party: Roughly 200 guests gathered at the East Liberty venue to celebrate what would have been the 99th birthday of jazz legend and Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre namesake, Billy Strayhorn. The evening began with a cocktail reception and champagne toast, birthday cake (naturally!) before a tribute performance with famed jazz drummer Roger Humphries, vocalist Spanky Wilson and brass quintet C Street Brass. Deryck Tines energized the crowd with his soulful rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Partygoers who stayed late enjoyed an impromptu dance party in the theater lobby with DJ SMI.

The Man Behind the Music: “Strayhorn is not only a monumental musician for Pittsburgh, but for the world,” said Janera Solomon, executive director for the Kelly-Strayhron Theatre. “As an openly gay black man, he transcended social stigmas and achieved worldwide recognition.”

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This year Billy Strayhorn would have been 100 years old. Although he is no longer, physically, in our presence he will always have a space to call home in our hearts and soul. Bill Strayhorn will forever reside there.

If worse comes to worse YouTube will always be here to replay his voice to us. Click play below and you'll understand.

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Thank you for tuning into our

first segment of Born in 1915.