Duke Ellington Billy Strayhorn

[southernbrooklyngal]

this song is the opening song in the Paul Newman film Paris Blues!!!!!

[Jqau]

Paul was either in LaLa land or he had a real good hit of something magic. In any case Duke managed to step in front of him toward the end it seems to save the band the embarrassment. In spite of it, they still sound great. RIP Duke & Paul & Billy.

[Mufaso1000]

Duke Ellington recognized that he wouldn't have a band without Billy.

[leesterg]

This is the genuis who wrote "Lush Life," when he was a teenager!

[iklipse]

Happy birthday Billy Strayhorn!

[TheHitDetector]

Billy Strayhorn!!!!!.....I would say he could play it all right ...you will probably find he actually really wrote it! ....smiles...

[policarpitopsc584]

No tinc paraules.Crec que es la millor sintonia de la historia de la musica

[tomitstube]

great stuff, they, especially the band, look exhausted.

[electric23sand]

@tomitstube they look they don't give a shit about playing a song that is is like 35 years old. they're like, "why couldn't i tour with hendrix? this is bullshit."

[sweetbaby103]

i wonder if I am related to him because my last name is Strayhorn.... I have some history to learn becuz i love to play Jazz instruments and am very good at it.... hmmmm....

[Streamline09]

@sweetbaby103 See if you have relatives in Pittsburgh, and check for the book "Lush Life".

[jaime52]

¡¡¡Loor a Billy Starhorn!!!

[imcazador]

boy, and i thought duke was the only one who could play this well!

[chas63]

I love how Paul Goncalves takes a quick nap until the last chorus!! Priceless.

[bdcochran01]

I heard the slow balad version as he wrote it. It was played that way at his funeral. I cannot find the ballad version. Any suggestions?

[shaswords]

Man that was a bad little MF! The torch was PASSED THROUGH THIS CAT. Says a lot about finese baby.

[lfthering]

1:34 zzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[jawgait]

SWING!!!!!

[digjoeyt]

Oh Yeh!!...that's it...uh-huh...Git it! LOL



[da19lila38]

Billy Strayhorn, a wonderful person and marvelous jazz composer and arranger, would have been 95 on November 29. What a pity there are not many live video with him! Thanks for the post.

[hazyday84]

Just so fans know, the kelly-strayhorn theater in East Liberty, Pittsburgh, Pa. will be having our annual celebration of Billy Strayhorn's birthday on Nov. 27. Hope you can make it.

[peetfreak]

how cool is that when he walks to the piano and starts right off the bat acting like everythings normal

[JCsaxophile]

Gonsalves sleep in the midst of so much swinging???? PRICELESS!!!!

[ahichiz]

@JCsaxophile ..NODDING OUT NOT SLEEPING!

[Streamline09]

Wish their were more videos with Strays. Most of the band seemed very disengaged while he played. At the end, when Duke tries to rev them up for an encore, they don't seem to want to lift a finger (or maybe they are!)

[busessuck1]

i always thought ellington's voice was really cool, i wonder if there's any recordings of him singing

[raidergunz]

he was underrated by some who knew who he was but refused to acknowledge his contributions to music

but more importantly he was literally uncredited in compositions and albums.

[Signal337]

The "A" Train ( 8th Avenue Express) is still operating in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. The "A" Train runs express in Manhattan up until 10:30 pm weeknights and weekends. Other hours, The "A" Train runs local in Manhattan during midnight hours. The "A" train runs express in Brooklyn during normal hours Monday thru Friday, and weekends.

[suneeday2]

So Mr. Strayhorn just walks up to the piano, cold, and plays better than almost anyone on the planet. Another rarity to check out is Billy playing and singing Lush Life on the Album Lush Life on Red Baron records. I miss Billy, Duke and all the orchestra every day but thankfuly we still have thier music.

[TheViewFromSugarHill]

Bminorscales is like the proverbial cow who gives a good bucket of milk the kicks it over! You are right about Hodges, Musician of the era smoked reefers and snorted cocaine, scag came in with the Boppers, thanks to Charlie Parker! But you comment that Dukes band was undiciplined is ignorant prattle! No bad who produced music as great and precise as this one could possibly be undiciplined in musical matters! Hence in spite of your musical nomme de plume you appear to not to know very much!

[homePicShow1]

More Strayhorn clips please. :)

[DYNODRUM]

Pau,was not asleep ,He was taking the'A' Train and catchin some like most do when on the train ..no one seemed to bother him ,he came in on time ,next stop....

[RasMiguel1]

I had heard they were lovers..

[monksatya]

@RasMiguel1 I dont know about that but they definitely loved each other..

[EBHaro]

I love the sound of that walking bass, soo soothing.

[bminorscales]

What a joy it is to hear Strayhorn perform this tune! Nothing like the way Duke did.

I could name a total of one alleged heroin addict who played with Duke, but I really don't want to. It's someone I never would have suspected, and it isn't Paul Gonsalves. Paul nodded off during performances - even falling off of his chair in some instances - because he was drunk on his tush, but a heroin addict? I'm unsure. It's possible. Regardless, he is in the pantheon of tenor saxophonists, IMHO.

[MCgoogles1000]

LMAO at the sleeping tenor playing

[HEADSUPBERKELEY]

So much talent this Billy Strayhorn!

[46professor]

What a great band! The sleeping musician is Paul Gonsalves (ten sax), possibly because he was drug addict. The concert took place in Copenhagen. Thanks!

[curszondax]

one of my favorites.

couldn't believe the saxophonist was sleeping!! lol.

just hope he didn't get the sack.

[XicoFlavio]

It's a gift of God. Billy and Duke play the Theme a live.

[olebrucester]

dude in the front nodding out lmao

[slyme1711]

Is that Johnny Hodges nodding off ? I heard Duke was great at on the spot rearrangements on account of all the junkies that he hired !

[dacaru115]

@slyme1711 I never ever heard of Johnny Hodges being a junkie?! That was Paul Gonsalves nodding. Hodges seems to be reading something and didnt care to make the arrangement. He always seemed to be very nonchalant in the vids I've seen him in. He has probably played 'A' train more times than he cared to remember.

[bminorscales]

@dacaru115

I totally agree. If Hodges was on heroin, I'll eat my shoe. Playing with Duke for some 40 years, he was just bored out of his mind except, I hope, when he was soloing. Who wouldn't be bored? Plus, he felt he was unfairly omitted from composer credit on some of Duke's most popular tunes. The royalty money would have been considerable, and he was known to show his displeasure when on stage. Duke's band was NOTORIOUS for its lack of discipline. The players got away with murder.

[winksoda86]

Thanks so much for posting this. Billy now has a highway marker in Hillsborough NC.

[nbase41]

The Duke ripped him off for years... Whata leech...

[Nonettegetz]

Billy Strayhorn was a genius. Thanks for sharing.

Nonie

[kukammb94]

I really like this song and actually, in my choir (Cor Infantil Sant Cugat) we'repreparing this song.

wyou can search our choir inh youtube ^^

COR INFANTIL SANT CUGAT =)

hope you like it

[Signal337]

I still ride the "A" Train Today, The Independent 8th Avenue Express. "Thanks Duke Ellington & Ray Strayhorn".

[hazeleyes171]

This is BEAUTIFUL

[7jack7]

America at its best!

[Krl246]

This was a year or two before he died

and just after he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. strayhorn was openly gay which may explain some of the lack of enthusiasm from the band

more than likely they are just tired that shit would never fly with Chick Webb though

[CherokeeCheval]

take the a train in the beginning!!

[julieyard1]

For years i thought "lush life" was written by nat king cole

[smoothbv]

i don't know about that

Polishjazzcritic the entire band looks very tired, i heard about their work schelude during their european tour, it was murder hard on them everyday but they still manage.

[lamusicahera]

Great!

[Polishjazzcritic]

Swangonce.. Hodges was upset that Paul was allowed on stage in his condition. He felt Duke shouldn't have had him up there.. And "Taylorswiftfan!" you got your nerve!!! We are all related to him...

[IDMUNHOZ]

MAGNIFIC VERY GOOOOOOD

[swangonce]

Why is Johnny Hodges sitting there looking so annoyed and n0t playing at the end?

And the sax guy to his left is kicking back like he just had a turkey dinner.

[Corrie121]

Great post.

[TaylorSwiftFan1012]

Im related to him

I swear on the bible i am

[weltoniandystopia]

bible doesn't count for much mang

[TheJazzplaylist]

if you're a taylor swift fan, then you'll definitely never be related to the duke

[TaylorSwiftFan1012]

im not a taylor swift fan this is my little sis's account

[TheJazzplaylist]

thats better, but i still don't believe you are related to duke.

[Alffovinni]

Excellent!!! I Love This Song!!!

[westup1213]

under rated composer! very inspirational.

[elizabethfaraone]

He was never underrated......just not recognized by the public.

[OscarPetersonFan]

Duke y Billy compartían la misma neurona!

[BKuchau]

Billy Strayhorn, a classy and very talented man.

Thank you.

[kattrby]

Just to share a couple of memories. The way I heard this played, the only two times I heard them, wasthat  A Train was the intro, that Harry Carney would kick the floor four times to set the pace, and it just went from there. Absolutely thrilling. Then the Duke would walk on. - "the piano player".

I don't know what the fuss is about Strayhorn being gay - what I remember from meeting him was the smell - he was the most perfumed man I have ever met. But it fitted, somehow - did not matter.

[jazztradition]

I've never seen him play with the band either. Thanks for posting. Definitely one of our "unsung heros." Cats know who he is for sure, but he's virtually unknown to the public.

[hlsanders]

Its my experience that musicians tend to focus on talent...

[japa1990]

whos on the bass?

[jaschaheifetz]

The great John Lamb on bass.

[OscarPetersonFan]

Sure he's great!

[BrunoJazzmanLeicht]

I've seen the complete ducumentary on German TV. It was very touching to see Strays playing with the band. Thanks for posting this rare gem.

Best,

Bruno, an admirer of true art

[manopila]

Great performance. I disagree with the characterization of Duke and Strays' relationship in the PBS documentary. Duke loved & admired Strayhorn. He plucked Strayhorn from obscurity, put him on the world stage and featured his genius. Duke was a very generous front man, he constantly featured his band members throughout his 50-year career, Strayhorn included. Read his autobiography "Music Was My Mistress" to find out how he really felt about Strayhorn. Duke loved him madly and made him a star.

[xtoffee92x]

love it.. billy wrote this right? ellington seems to get more credit for it

[handgun1]

Yes he did and I agree but even in the piece that were playing right now, it's called Symphonic Duke we play the song but all the credit goes to Billy Strayhorn

[sn81]

You're right, and Duke Ellington made a lot of songs famous that Billy Strayhorn wrote (eg. Lush Life). Fun fact: Billy wrote this song because when he first started making music with the Duke, Duke simply told him to take the A-train to get to Harlem. You can look at the original lyrics for the song. Isn't it funny the ways that inspiration can strike and make a masterpiece?

[sn81]

You may be right, and thanks for checking: I have a Coltrane album in which John played Lush Life, but the pianist was not Ellington as I had thought. They play "In a Sentimental Mood" together, and that's what I was confusing the collaberation with (BTW it's a beautiful song, check it out!). Obviously, Duke did not always play with his Orchestra, so it would be a big jump to say he never played Lush Life. Also, was my original comment, "...Billy wrote this song...," not clear enough for you?

[menashsheh]

I saw the PBS special on Philly station channel 12. Its a shame that the "Duke was such a " svengali " he should have given Mr. Billy Strayhorn his due. If "Duke "was around today, he would be called a "Hater. Rest in Peace Sweet Pea.

[trumpetman]

wow... paul gonzalves looks like he is knocked out! lol... long night buddy??? ha ha ha ha ha

[bellybumper5000]

Boom

[Streamline09]

What does it mean that the band seems so unenthusiastic and exhausted? They must have worked tirelessly, but perhaps some had an attitude about Strays? Nevertheless, Strayhorn was amazing and deserves much more attention. I hope the film "Lush Life" that aired on PBS is finally released as a DVD.

[sweetmpea55]

could have been that they were prejudiced toward homosexuals. billy strayhorn was gay

[mgoblue3651]

actually they were very fond of Billy.  They even had nicknames for him, they called him "Swee' Pea" because he was so soft-spoken. If this was '65 it was 2 years before he died so maybe the band was a bit different, but if you do some research you'll find that he was regarded very highly by all of his peers

[leesterg]

Not true! All of the musicians were aware that BS was gay and it was never an issue. He was low key and was not one to throw his sexuality in your face. Mr. Strayhorn was well liked, admired and respected in the jazz community. Those are the facts!

[sweetmpea55]

was it really never an issue?

publicly i can buy..

what about privately?

[leesterg]

Why is this such a difficult concept for you to grasp. The man was low key and a classy gentleman. He did not walk around with a neon sign saying, I am a homosexual. However, he did not pretend that he was into women. Also, you have to look at the time in history when he lived, people did not even talk about sex publicly or even say anything sexual in public. All the musicians knew "jazz community," Duke Ellington, Lena Horne his best friend til death, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, etc.

[sweetmpea55]

let me reiterate...

why is it such a difficult concept for you to grasp that even though IT WAS NEVER A ISSUE DISCUSSED IN PUBLIC AMONG THE BAND MEMBERS IT MAY VERY WELL HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN PRIVATE.

you even said it yourself

"Also, you have to look at the time in history when he lived, people did not even talk about sex publicly or even say anything sexual in public"

that is my point. tard.

i don't understand where you get off saying that "it was never an issue". "those are the facts".

[sweetmpea55]

..since you knew him personally and you are obviously able to read the minds of the past band members. lol. wish i had that mysterious power..

[sweetmpea55]

isn't a "stray" a heterosexual who is mistaken to be gay?

[Streamline09]

I don't know. But if that's the case, perhaps those (like his dear friend Marian Logan) who called him by this nickname ("Strays") did so with a touch of irony, but certainly with love.

[sweetmpea55]

i agree.

 : )

[nyshoefly]

why is the sax player sleeping??? haha

[hitmanisbackmk2]

its paul gonsalves hes prolly hammerd lol

[leesterg]

Sometimes musicians are on the road doing a lot of one nighters and it can be grueling playing in a town til 2:00 a.m. then you have to get on a bus and travel several hundred miles to the next gig and maybe between time zones, check into a hotel and sleep a few hours, up to rehearse than performing again til the wee hours. Think about it!

[ak47mustang]

Billy Strayhorn very well might be the best jazz composer ever, but what he probably doesn't get enough credit for is the fact that DAMN he can play

[foowah7]

I love how loud the bass is here. What kind of bass is that any who? :p

[luvlaworld]

Billy Strayhorn was so underrated in his time, he was one of the greatest composers of all times and he just so happened to be a friend mine's uncle...live on Strayhorn- live on!!

[oldpapajohn]

What year was this? VERY GOOD.

[busessuck1]

65, this is the best version i've heard

[oldpapajohn]

Thanks busessuck1, I was lucky enough to see the Duke in 59..after the opening intro., and 'take the A train' played by Billy Strayhorn and the band the Duke came on took over the piano and we never saw Billy again,until the end of the concert.

[busessuck1]

Not a problem... Must've been great, I'm sure Mr. Strayhorn didn't mind that Duke stole his show!

[oldpapajohn]

It was a night to remember...Still got the ticket stub and the programme.

[54spiritedwill54]

Wow.. what a very important recording.

[T0WER0FPlGS]

billy strayhorn was gay but that doesn't affect his great music

[markyp19]

hey fella dont get me wrong i love the music but its well documented bill evans miles davies, louis armstrong chet baker, billy strayhorn, they had problems nearly all of the most talented musicians got hooked its not a derogatory statement just well documented its not wrong or right, i dont wish to take the moral high ground. i was replying to a guy who asked why the lead horn was always sleeping .

[kerednotsdib]

I'm referring to markyp 19.

Billy RIP

[BlockChordsRed]

q: why would the camera director go out of his way to highlight Gonsalves' drunken condition?

q2: how is it that some people can decide that Strayhorn was 'better than duke' on piano or 'not as good' based on this brief performance? (he sounds pretty good to me.)

[chdrapkin]

I just read the excellent Strayhorn biography "Lush Life" (natch), by David Hajdu. He writes that when Billy was introduced to Duke as a very young Pittsburg kid and played for Duke during intermission, Duke was impressed. He told him to come look him up in New York City and scribbled down some directions, including, "Take the A train." Strayhorn made a composition out of those directions, which then became the famous hit -- attributed to Duke, like so many of Billy's compositions. Great read!!

[Azizip17]

@chdrapkin Thanks for sharing that story from Billy Strayhorn's biography. I'd like to make a friendly amendment to your comment. "Pittsburg, Pennsylvania" is spelled with an "h" (Pittsburgh). It's my adopted city. I used to live in the same Homewood community as Billy Strayhorn, but I now live in the same East Liberty community as another famous African American jazz pianist & composer, Mary Lou Williams. Pittsburgh has a rich history of jazz . And jazz still flourishes in the 'burgh.

[Azizip17]

@Azizip17 I also want to mention that the Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is named in honor of singer, dancer, Gene Kelly and pianist, composer Billy Strayhorn. Gene Kelly was born in the Highland Park area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Small community performing arts groups regularly use the Kelly-Strayhorn theatre for their events. But unfortunately I don't think that many Pittsburghers know about the rich legacy of Billy Strayhorn.

[southernbrooklyngal]

@Azizip17 wow thanks for the info, STARYHORN FOREVER

[Ranchobob]

Read "Lush Life" a strayhorn biography

I think it is genreally accepted in musical circles that he was a genius

[rlawton002]

Six stars would be more like it!!

[marksixtyone]

They had been playing the songs for years. Seasoned pro. And yes they were old. But when I saw them in74 live they did infact close their eyes. So what listen to that music!

[arsepooquall]

lol the stage is that sleeping guys home

[Startac2007]

There am! you reached to observe that one of the saxophonists of Ellington you is sleeping

[rozmarie]

Nice very nice rare gem!!Thanks!

[royhaworth]

I'm not sure why, but somehow his playing puts me in mind of McCoy Tyner here.

[michaelklaber]

Pure Poul Gonsalves... Why do they let him on the band stand at all

[lexo30]

Because he was an amazing player. When he was awake.

[jaschaheifetz]

Fantastic! Strayhorn was a true genius. That's John Lamb on bass and Sam Woodyard, drums.

[paulostroff99]

Strayhorn was as smooth as silk, and as stylish as anyone.

[schnieef]

I think that Strayhorn is a better pianist than Duke. What a pity that he wasn't playing piano that often.

[lexo30]

I disagree. Strayhorn isn't bad, but Duke was a far greater master of texture and a more convincing soloist.

[eamedia]

thanks for posting this

[bernardlec]

Thank you for sharing this!

[clskmstg]

Wow.. what a very important recording. You can hear the similar styles of Strays and Duke. Thank you for sharing this!

[ellington56]

It's great seeing Paul Gonsalves, sax, sound asleep on the band stand in the middle of it all. Great clip.

[Saxyman14]

It's a shame that he had such a drug problem.

[markyp19]

they all had drug problems

[Saxyman14]

you don't say.

most of them hardly fell asleep on stage though

[markyp19]

COCKTAILS.

[Saxyman14]

don't talk about Billy strayhorn like that. Just cause he was gay doesn't mean you can call him names.

[SingerOfSwing]

Paul Gonsalves' problem was not drugs, it was alcohol. He was a big-time alcoholic.

[BlockChordsRed]

if you're lying on the dirty floor sound asleep during performances, you've got real

problems, don't you think? by the way, alcohol is a drug in my opinion. (not starting

an argument here, just making a point.)

[SingerOfSwing]

There's another video out there from this same performance,where Gonsalves is passed out, and when the song ends and just as the camera cuts out, you hear Duke call "Cottontail." You can imagine how well THAT went, with a sleeping first tenor.

[kerednotsdib]

bigoted no mark

[art6000]

tankyou very much for this...merci!!!!!!!!!!!