I just finished watching Independent Lens, an award-winning documentary show on PBS. The topic of the Feb. 6th show, which I recorded, was the life and work of Billy Strayhorn, the creative genius behind many of the achievements of Duke Ellington. From the time he was 16, Strayhorn was writing complex and haunting melodies, and unforgetable lyrics. His story makes a good tragedy in so far as he lived his whole creative life completely eclipsed by Ellington. If you get a chance to see this show, don't miss it. For some samples of Strayhorn's genius, see Straight No Chaser.
Recent Comments