BBC Composer of the Week

Composer of the Week: Billy Strayhorn

BBC Radio 3, 19 - 23 November, 12:00pm-1:00pm

Donald Macleod looks at the life and work of American jazz musician Billy Strayhorn, beginning with his early days growing up in difficult circumstances in Homewood, Pittsburgh. 

Taking five key environments that shaped Strayhorn's personal and musical trajectory, across the week Donald builds a picture of the contributory factors supporting Strayhorn's development as a composer and his association with the legendary Duke Ellington.

Monday - Something To Live For

Born in 1915, Strayhorn's early life was overshadowed by poverty and a violent father. Set on a career in classical music, it took him six years of toil in a local pharmacy to get the money together to study at music college. It was at this stage that a record by jazz pianist Art Tatum inspired him to move from classical and forge a career in jazz.

Tuesday - 315 Convent Avenue

Donald explores the period in Billy Strayhorn’s life when he moved to New York to work for Duke Ellington.

Wednesday - Hollywood Beckons

Strayhorn's time in Hollywood turned out to be both an opportunity, but also a source of disillusionment. Stuck in Hollywood for months, working on various projects for Duke Ellington enabled the Duke to tour with his orchestra secure in the knowledge that Strayhorn would make sure everything ran to plan in his absence. There were artistic downsides to this arrangement from Strayhorn’s point of view, but on a positive note it was during this time he met one of his closest friends, Lena Horne.

Thursday - The Mars Club

Donald looks into Strayhorn's deep connection with Paris, the city where he found the night life and artistic independence he craved. The cracks were beginning to show in Strayhorn’s relationship with Ellington and he headed to Paris, where he was finally given the opportunity to record an album in his own name.

Friday - Riverside Drive

Donald charts Strayhorn's difficult final years in Riverside Drive, New York. Having lived in the shadow of Duke Ellington for a quarter of a century, when Strayhorn received an invitation to give the first solo concert of his life, he suffered serious anxiety over whether or not anyone would come to hear him play.

Full broadcast details here.