Accessibility links
Billy Strayhorn Billy Strayhorn artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Billy Strayhorn

The Lush Life Of Billy Strayhorn

Billy Strayhorn (right), spent the majority of his career as a composer and arranger for Duke Ellington (left) and his orchestra. David Redfern/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
David Redfern/Getty Images

Jazz Night In America

The Lush Life Of Billy Strayhorn

WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center

The composer was remarkable not only for his harmonically rich collaborations with Duke Ellington, but for living as an openly gay black man in the 1940s.

The Lush Life Of Billy Strayhorn

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/500504682/500512491" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
100 Years Of Billy Strayhorn, Emotional Architect Of Song

Billy Strayhorn (right), born 100 years ago, spent the majority of his career as a composer and arranger for the Duke Ellington Orchestra. David Redfern/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
David Redfern/Getty Images

Music

100 Years Of Billy Strayhorn, Emotional Architect Of Song

The composer and arranger spent the bulk of his career in service to the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He wrote some of the most popular songs of the 20th century — without ever hiding who he was.

100 Years Of Billy Strayhorn, Emotional Architect Of Song

Listen · 6:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/457598579/457756772" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music Interviews

Billy Strayhorn: Jazz Composer Gets His Due

"Take the A Train" was the Ellington Orchestra's signature tune. But the composer was Billy Strayhorn. Forty years after his death, a new documentary examines the life of the unassuming pianist and composer.

Billy Strayhorn: Jazz Composer Gets His Due

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/7220841/7220842" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Review

Basic Jazz Record Library

Duke Ellington: 'Such Sweet Thunder'

Such Sweet Thunder combines two master artists: Duke Ellington and William Shakespeare. A twelve-part suite based on the Bard's plays and sonnets, the album brings Lady Macbeth to life as a ragtime melody.

Duke Ellington: 'Such Sweet Thunder'

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4543727/150768849" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Duke Ellington: The Composer, Pt. 2

Duke Ellington's compositions present a timeless contribution to American music's legacy. Victor Drees//Evening Standard/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Victor Drees//Evening Standard/Getty Images

NPR's 'Jazz Profiles'

Duke Ellington: The Composer, Pt. 2

The scope and breadth of Duke Ellington's compositions were far-reaching, drawing many influences together to create a cohesive and diverse sound. Composing consumed Ellington around the clock, and his musical legacy is a timeless contribution to American music.

Duke Ellington: The Composer, Pt. 2

Listen · 52:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/97310712/97485949" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Take The A Train'

Duke Ellington in 1971. Louis Panassié/Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons hide caption

toggle caption
Louis Panassié/Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The NPR 100

'Take The A Train'

"Take the 'A' Train" started the lasting collaboration between Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington.

'Take The A Train'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1075346/100654556" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org