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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 512
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 04:11 pm: | 
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http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/billystrayhorn/
From the 1940s to the 1960s, Billy Strayhorn was the force behind the sound of the renowned Duke Ellington Orchestra. BILLY STRAYHORN: LUSH LIFE tells the story of this pioneering African American composer, arranger and pianist. Strayhorn helped produce a body of work that has no rival in originality and range—from unforgettable tunes and jazz melodies to orchestral suites and soundtracks. He was the sole composer of many classic compositions, including the Ellington theme song, “Take The ‘A’ Train,” and the widely recorded “Lush Life.” Yet at the time of his death in 1967 at age 51 from esophageal cancer, most people were unfamiliar with his musical accomplishments and genius. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 7174
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 04:36 pm: |
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I read "Lush Life", the biography of Billy Strayhorn, so I am very much looking forward to watching this. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1877
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 06:46 pm: |
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Our PBS sched got screwed around somehow here in San Diego and I missed this one. I was really looking forward to the bio of Strayhorn. I'm a very big fan of this unheralded genius and seemingly obscure master to the general public. Grrrrrrrr.......!!!!! I'm very bitter about this. I'm sure they will recycle it again before the year is out. But as I said, I was really looking forward to this particular PBS special.
What did you think of the bio Cynique? I loved the book by David Hajud (Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn).
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 7468
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 07:57 pm: |
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I liked Strayhorn's biography a lot, NTFS, because not only was about the man, but it was about the world that he travelled in, that big band era in music. And I've always loved Nat Cole's version of the song "Lush Life", even if Strayhorn wasn't that impressed with how Cole interpreted it. The PBS special was very true to the book and was made even more interesting by the interviews it featured with people who knew Billy. Hopefully you'll catch it. They ran it twice in my area. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1886
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 07:46 pm: |
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"They ran it twice in my area."
F%#K..!!!!! I'm a bitter man! Dang! You are so fortunate. I'm sure they will show it again eventually. I have been watching the PBS channel sched every day. Nothing yet. Groan........
If you like the Nat Cole version, I'm sure you will love the Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane version. Absolutely beautiful! OMG! I can never get enough of it. There is a CD box set that features the compositions and arrangements of Billy Strayhorn. I have a friend who has it and I plan to request to hear it next time I go over his house (hopefully later today).
A very young Strayhorn. Love this pic.
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3639
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 11:25 am: |
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I saw it twice as well. I receive two PBS stations - one in El Paso and another in Las Cruces, NM. So I caught the first one after it already started and then I was able to watch it again from the beginning. In the same evening.
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