Strayhorn discovered jazz in his late teens and was writing arrangements for Pittsburgh’s jazz bands within a few years. He had hoped to be a classical pianist, but the world of classical music was not welcoming to black musicians in the 1930s. (Strayhorn’s own piano performance of “Lush Life” can be heard on his 1961 album The Peaceful Side the song has been recorded by a wide variety of performers.) He began composing and songwriting, and did most of the work on one of his signature songs, “Lush Life,” while still in his teens. He wrote the high school musical and performed regularly with a trio on local radio.
Strayhorn began to consider music as a career while he was in high school. Strayhorn was a jazz composer and arranger who spent most of his career as Duke Ellington’s creative partner.
Billy Strayhorn was born on November 29, 1915.
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