the Genius of Billy Strayhorn at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents a tribute concert celebrating the jazz genius of Billy Strayhorn through an exploration of his repertoire, produced by Pam Van Dyke Crosby. Billy Strayhorn was the jazz composer, arranger, and pianist best known for his extremely successful collaboration with Duke Ellington. Lasting nearly three decades, their music created an important and dynamic chapter in the history of jazz. Billy’s contribution was often undermined by the fact that he worked in the shadow of Duke Ellington, a name much more familiar to the public. But it was—in actuality—Strayhorn who wrote the Duke’s rollicking signature tune Take the A Train and the reflective Chelsea Bridge...

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The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presents a tribute concert celebrating the jazz genius of Billy Strayhorn through an exploration of his repertoire, produced by Pam Van Dyke Crosby. Billy Strayhorn was the jazz composer, arranger, and pianist best known for his extremely successful collaboration with Duke Ellington. Lasting nearly three decades, their music created an important and dynamic chapter in the history of jazz. Billy’s contribution was often undermined by the fact that he worked in the shadow of Duke Ellington, a name much more familiar to the public. But it was—in actuality—Strayhorn who wrote the Duke’s rollicking signature tune Take the A Train and the reflective Chelsea Bridge. It was also Billy’s versatility that was pivotal to Ellington’s lush classical excursions such as Greig’s Peer Gynt, and the film score to Anatomy of Murder. “. . . Billy Strayhorn was my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brainwaves in his head, and his in mine.” – Duke Ellington. Featured in the tribute concert are: Pam Van Dyke Crosby on vocals, Scott McQuade on piano, Bill Crosby on bass and Tony Yohe on drums.

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