The Billy Strayhorn Story: An Unsung Genius
Billy Strayhorn lived openly as a gay man in an era when such honesty often came at great personal and professional cost. His genius was prolific - he composed over 1,000 songs during his lifetime - yet he remained largely in Ellington's shadow. Born in Dayton, Ohio, he spent his childhood between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Hillsborough, North Carolina, where his grandmother's piano became his first musical home.
Billy Strayhorn
His classical training at the Pittsburgh Musical Institute laid the groundwork for his sophisticated compositional style. By age 22, he had already written what would become his signature piece, "Lush Life," before joining forces with Ellington.
Beyond his professional relationship with Ellington, Strayhorn formed deep personal connections in the entertainment world. His friendship with Lena Horne was particularly profound - she considered him "the love of her life" and declared him her only real friend. Strayhorn served as her mentor and vocal coach, writing several songs specifically for her, including "You're The One" and "Maybe."
Bill Strayhorn, Lena Horne & Duke Ellington
In his later years, Strayhorn found love with graphic designer Bill Grove, who remained by his side until his death from esophageal cancer in 1967. After Strayhorn's passing, Ellington recorded the album "And His Mother Called Him Bill" as a tribute, featuring entirely Strayhorn compositions, including “Blood Count,” Strayhorn’s final composition.
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The story doesn't end here. Dive deeper into Billy Strayhorn's remarkable life after the show through our specially curated podcast episode.
