The Music of Billy Strayhorn at Stanford Jazz Festival

Duke Ellington called Billy Strayhorn “my right arm, my left arm…the eyes in the back of my head.” As composer and arranger for Duke’s legendary band, Strayhorn penned classics, including “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Lush Life,” that became staples of the Ellington songbook. “There’s something romantic about Strayhorn’s music that I really love,” says pianist Adam Shulman. “He succeeds in being both cerebral and soulful at the same time.” For his heartfelt tribute, Shulman has arranged Strayhorn’s timeless compositions for a quintet, allowing his cast of top Bay Area improvisers creative freedom while preserving the essence of the original big band orchestrations....

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Duke Ellington called Billy Strayhorn “my right arm, my left arm…the eyes in the back of my head.” As composer and arranger for Duke’s legendary band, Strayhorn penned classics, including “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Lush Life,” that became staples of the Ellington songbook. “There’s something romantic about Strayhorn’s music that I really love,” says pianist Adam Shulman. “He succeeds in being both cerebral and soulful at the same time.” For his heartfelt tribute, Shulman has arranged Strayhorn’s timeless compositions for a quintet, allowing his cast of top Bay Area improvisers creative freedom while preserving the essence of the original big band orchestrations.

Don't miss the pre-show talk, "Inside Jazz: Insights on Billy Strayhorn", with Sonny Buxton from KCSM Jazz 91.1

For more information on this event or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.stanfordjazz.org/jazzfestival/07_02.html or call (650) 725-ARTS [2787]

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