Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967) was a key member of the Duke Ellington organization from 1939 until his death. On meeting Ellington, he so impressed Duke that he was immediately invited to come to New York. Ellington gave him directions to his home; the result was "Take the 'A' Train", the first of many brilliant compositions that Strayhorn produced for the band.
Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn, by David Hadju is a good read.
| Something To Live For Billy Strayhorn - The Peaceful Side Of Jazz (1961) |
| Take the 'A' Train (1941) Duke Ellington - The Blanton-Webster Band |
| Take the 'A' Train Betty Roché - Take the 'A' Train (1956) |
| Blood Count Duke Ellington - ". . . and his mother called him Bill . . ." (1967) |
| Blood Count Bobby Watson - No Question About It (1988) |
| Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin' (1941) Duke Ellington - The Blanton-Webster Band |
| Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin' (1952) Oscar Peterson Trio - The Duke Ellington Songbook |
| Absinthe Duke Ellington - Afro Bossa (1963) |
| Happy-Go-Lucky Local Rex Stewart - Rex Stewart Meets Henri Chaix (1966) |
| Blues In Orbit Duke Ellington - Blues In Orbit (1961) |
| Cool Your Motor Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra - Blues-A-Plenty (1958) |
| Lay-By Duke Ellington - Three Suites (1960) |
| The Gal From Joes Johnny Hodges acc. by Billy Strayhorn & His Orchestra - Soloist (1961) |
| Bend One Johnny Hodges-Duke Ellington - Side By Side (1958) |
| Satin Doll McCoy Tyner - McCoy Tyner Plays Ellington (1965) |
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| M.H.R. Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra - Not So Dukish (1958) |
| Passion Flower Clark Terry - Memories Of Duke (1980) |
| Lush Life Bill Holman - Great Big Band (1960) |
| Chelsea Bridge Pee Wee Russell - New Groove (1963) |
| Lush Life John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman - John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman (1963) |
| Satin Doll Kenny Burrell - Ellington Is Forever, vol. 2 (1977) |
| Lotus Blossom Joe Henderson - Lush Life - The Music of Billy Strayhorn (1992) |
| Day Dream Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississsippi (2009) |
| Portrait Of A Silk Thread The Dutch Jazz Orchestra - Portrait Of A Silk Thread (1995) |
| Misfit Blues Duke Ellington - Three Suites |
| Watch Your Cue Billy Strayhorn - Cue For Saxophone (1959) |
| Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin' (Duke Ellington piano solo) Billy Strayhorn - Lush Life (1965) |
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