Duke Ellington, Blood Count (Billy Strayhorn)

And His Mother Called Him Bill (1967)

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton (alto saxophone, clarinet); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams (trumpet); Clark Terry (flugelhorn); John Sanders, Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); Aaron Bell, Jeff Castleman (bass); Steve Little, Sam Woodyard (drums).

I am completely captivated by the Strayhorn/Ellington narrative and by the 1967 CD *And His Mother Called Him Bill.* Every story has a beginning and a middle, and as many of us eventually figure out , there are no real endings. This CD is a living legacy of that reality. My appreciation for this body of work is inseparable from the the love story it expresses.

Can you imagine being fortunate enough to meet someone in your lifetime that you connect with on a creative and soul level so profound that it is not a threat to, nor rivalled by any other kind of intimacy? From all that I have read by historians and biographers, and all myths aside, this is the essence of the relationship Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn shared and nurtured for 30 years. A bond beyond gender or sexuality, and even deeper than friendship. Yet, most of their famous compositions were collaborated on while apart and from completely different approaches, one being self taught liking contrast and discord, the other classically trained loving harmony and melody.

Strayhorn recalled the first time he watched the Duke in action: Something inside me changed when I saw Ellington on stage, like I hadn't been living until then. And later Ellington described Strayhorn as my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brainwaves in his head, and his in mine. When Billy Strayhorn died in 1967 after a two year struggle with esophagus cancer, Ellington was so devastated that he did not get out of bed for weeks, and three months later he called his band into the studio to record this tribute album.

Hence, my inspiration to share. These are my first You Tube uploads, audio only and not perfect, but just lay back, close your eyes and drift.

Blood Count is the last composition written by Billy Strayhorn in the months before he died

Category:

Music

Tags:

• jazz

[phatmandee]

Stunning, I am asked to sing "Lush Life" at an event later this month, in Pittsburgh at the Kelly/Strayhorn Theater, so I am doing more research on Strayhorn in general and came across this song, and it really is just so lovely. What do you think of the lyrics that Elvis Costello wrote for it?

[sofullyours]

Oh my goodness. The lyrics are beautiful. Thank you for mentioning this. I wish I could see you sing at your event. How exciting!

My Flame Burns Blue

As the last light glimmers

And the evening hours dim

Maybe I'm too proud to utter it out loud

Even though my flame burns blue

As the night's descending

Once again I find I'll tarry and pretend

My confidential friend

Will suddenly appear in view

[sofullyours]

All my might Between velvet and dynamite Blow out the doors Let in the light Falling dust in the beam And a small stifled scream Alibis and decoys Were his eyes so turquoise? Covered with a lash They flatter and they flash Even though my flame burns blue

[sofullyours]

If I seem a stranger

I feel far from danger

We tamper and we toy

With passion over joy

Even though my flame burns blue

Even though the fire that once was desire

Doesn't look for trouble or dare to flare

Look now

And I won't be there

[Kroposky]

youtube.com/watch?v=whSdoV_Yz-­E

[robyatkins]

Got an old Duke concert years before this and Hodges plays something much like this and it's credited as Passion Flower. And yes, I do know that Passion is on this album but it's not that!

[arias4me]

Beautiful and so very sad. Thank you for uploading.

[MidnightJazzer]

Stellar composition, probably some of the best arranging, at the hight of his carrier and most influential of sessions, after Stayhorns passing, signature Ellington arranging, with laud brass bridges are perfect just like they.

[MagicRain505]

My god, Johnny goes off in this one...

[jaime52]

@MrJoebupkis Agree!

[animallog]

can't hear this without crying...

[Laoban1]

haunting, just like a soul is about to experience death...

[MrJoebupkis]

Hyptnotizing...mesmerizing. Simply beautiful.

[CYisThelonius]

This is so beautiful. I'm in awe.