A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing (Billy Strayhorn, Composer) Keisha St. Joan and Steve Elmer

Keisha St. Joan celebrated 50 years as a jazz vocalist on May 2, 2009 in a concert at St. Peter's Church in New York City. "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing" was recorded in January 13, 2009 at Uptime Studios in New York and is Track 5 from Keisha's new CD called "Yes I Am."

Steve Elmer has been Keisha's accoompanist since 2005. His website link is http://www.SteveElmerJazz.com

For three decades, Billy Strayhorn was the composing and arranging partner of jazz great Duke Ellington. Strayhorn met Ellington in 1939; the bandleader hired him immediately and the two worked together until Strayhorn died in 1967. Strayhorn's compositions alone or with Ellington include "Lush Life," "Chelsea Bridge," "Johnny Come Lately," "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" and "Satin Doll." His most famous composition, "Take the 'A' Train," was inspired by the subway directions to Ellington's home for their first meeting. Strayhorn was born in Ohio but is often associated with Pittsburgh, where he spent a larger part of his childhood.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Flower
• Is
• Lovesome
• Thing
• Billy
• Strayhorn
• Keisha
• St.
• Joan
• Steve
• Elmer
• Jazz
• Vocal

[NunzioAdorato]

What a rendition! The voice and piano are as one with great sensitivity in each. This is the sort of performance that brings out the richness and originality of the Strayhorn oeuvre. Beautiful job!

[BeBopElmo]

@NunzioAdorato Thank you for your kind words. The voice/piano duo is a very special setting in jazz. My favorite collaborations in this tradition are Ella Fitzgerald/Ellis Larkins, Carmen McRae/George Shearing, and Tony Bennett/Bill Evans. It is clear to me that all these wonderful artists enjoyed working with each other, a prerequisite for any intimate music making. It also helps when both artists feel they are musical partners as compared to the idea of singer and accompanist.

[billystrayhornsghost]

Lovely.

[slyme1711]

got to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard

[zeron2zelig]

Steve, very haunting--I enjoyed it -Dave S.

[mamesibamarukomidori]

Very Nice !

[jahone100]

Thank you Keisha for been you, and to make the world a better place.

ONE LOVE

MM

[ddaymedia]

Keisha, congratulations! This Strayhorn jewel is a perfect selection and is beautifully presented. Thanks for posting.

[divajc]

So very lovesome! Thank you and congratulations Keisha on your longevity and talent.

Diva JC