Ever Up and Onward...

From Colburn School...

Ever Up and Onward

A Tribute to Billy Strayhorn

A virtuoso pianist, lyricist, and orchestrator, Billy Strayhorn was a pioneer of the modern big band sound. His 28-year collaboration with Duke Ellington left a significant mark on Ellington’s musical identity and brand. In this eight-part video series, bassist and Colburn Conservatory alumnus Marlon Martinez explores the life, legacy, and music of this jazz icon.

Ever Up and Onward presents an in-depth portrait of Billy Strayhorn through interviews, audio recordings, archival video footage, in-depth analysis of musical characteristics, and performanceswith the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra.

Special thanks to the Billy Strayhorn Foundation for its invaluable support of this project.

Episode 1: Who is Billy Strayhorn?

Meet composer and arranger Billy Strayhorn, who composed some of the greatest jazz standards of the mid-20th century and was a fierce advocate for the advancement of Black music and musicians.

Episode 2: Billy Strayhorn’s Musical Style

Explore Billy Strayhorn’s pioneering style of the big band era, in which he brought a complexity and progressive touch to melody, orchestration, harmony, lyrics, and compositional form.

Episode 3: Billy Strayhorn’s Musical Footprint

Explore signature techniques of Billy Strayhorn’s music that inspired countless legends with forward-thinking melodies, chord progressions and orchestrations.

Episode 4: Billy Strayhorn’s Approach to Structure

Discover how Billy Strayhorn’s formal training in classical music influenced his compositional style.

Episode 5: Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington’s Collaboration

Learn about the collaboration between Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn that spanned almost 3 decades, resulting in some of the greatest compositions in jazz history.

Episode 6: Uncredited Billy Strayhorn

Discover why Billy Strayhorn was lesser known and often uncredited, despite having written about 40% of Duke Ellington’s music.

Episode 7: Artistic Choices Made by Duke

Explore artistic choices made by Duke Ellington that changed or deleted some of Billy Strayhorn’s compositional elements in favour of a performance moment or particular player’s personality.

Episode 8: Billy Strayhorn’s Legacy

Learn how Billy Strayhorn elevated Black American music and paved the way for countless BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists.

Marlon Martinez and the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra

Jazz virtuoso bassist and Colburn Conservatory alumnus Marlon Martinez presents a tribute to Billy Strayhorn, emceed by Classical KUSC announcer Alan Chapman.

Jazz virtuoso bassist and Colburn Conservatory alumnus Marlon Martinez presents a tribute to jazz icon Billy Strayhorn. In a concert emceed by Classical KUSC announcer Alan Chapman, Marlon’s big band Marlonius Jazz Orchestra will revive lesser known and newly discovered works. The program includes tunes like Take the 'A' Train, Rhapsody in Blue, Chelsea Bridge, Pretty Girl, and more.

Also on the program is a filmed work, choreographed by Colburn Dance Dean and Amplify artist Silas Farley. The ballet is set to significant recordings of piano pieces by Strayhorn.