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Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn Paperback – June 26, 1997

by David Hajdu (Author)

41 customer reviews

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A finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award

Billy Strayhorn (1915-67) was one of the greatest composers in the history of American music, the creator of a body of work that includes such standards as "Take the 'A' Train." Yet all his life Strayhorn was overshadowed by his friend and collaborator Duke Ellington, with whom he worked for three decades as the Ellington Orchestra's ace songwriter and arranger. A "definitive" corrective (USA Today) to decades of patchwork scholarship and journalism about this giant of jazz, David Hajdu's Lush Life is a vibrant and absorbing account of the "lush life" that Strayhorn and other jazz musicians led in Harlem and Paris. While composing some of the most gorgeous American music of the twentieth century, Strayhorn labored under a complex agreement whereby Ellington took the bows for his work. Until his life was tragically cut short by cancer and alcohol abuse, the small, shy composer carried himself with singular style and grace as one of the few jazzmen to be openly homosexual. Lush Life has sparked an enthusiastic revival of interest in Strayhorn's work and is already acknowledged as a jazz classic.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A 1996 nominee for the National Book Critics Circle Award, this perceptive, meticulously researched biography rescues from obscurity the gifted Billy Strayhorn (1915-67), Duke Ellington's arranger and composer of many popular Ellington Orchestra tunes, including "Take the `A' Train." Worshipped by jazz aficionados as the creative power behind the Ellington throne, Strayhorn preferred to live quietly while his friend/boss took the bows. In clear prose and with careful attention to nuance, David Hajdu documents Strayhorn's contributions to the Ellington magic and delineates an attractive personality who found good in almost everyone he met.

From Scientific American

A portrait that is both full and convincing.... It is a mark of the excellence of this biography that it leaves one wanting nothing so much as to listen to the music.

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Product details

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: North Point Press; First edition (June 26, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780865475120
ISBN-13: 978-0865475120
ASIN: 0865475121
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 41 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #210 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Blues
- #319 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Biographies > Jazz
- #747 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Jazz

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A. Alyce Claerbaut

"Ever Up and Onward" Billy Strayhorn

September 14, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Lush Life is the award-winning watershed biography of the life of Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967). In 2011, the book was selected by New York Times Magazine as one of the top 100 non-fiction titles of all time. Billy Strayhorn's story is compelling, especially in this day and age. He is best known as the collaborator with the great Duke Ellington. His best-known works are "Take The 'A' Train" (the Ellington theme song) and "Lush Life". Hajdu's biography tells of his life from the perspective of those who knew him. Hajdu did more than 400 interviews of people including musicians, friends, family, noted celebrities and other entertainment professionals who had personal knowledge of Strayhorn's life and career.

A black, gay musician in the 1940's Strayhorn chose to live his life openly. There was a price to pay. Many forces sprang into play that caused his legacy to be nearly invisible. One factor involved the complicated relationship with Ellington who was not only his collaborator but also had the total power of publishing his works. There were many works for which Strayhorn was not credited and/or where Ellington's name was added. In addition, Ellington's publicist, known to be homophobic, instituted practices that served to keep Strayhorn's genius out of the spotlight. Some involved removing his name from playbills/program notes, etc.

Billy Strayhorn died prematurely on May 31, 1967 from cancer at the age of 51.

Strayhorn, whose catalog consists of a magnitude of titles, is best known as the most unfamous significant musician of the 20th century. Recent research, including Hajdu's LUSH LIFE, has served to remove the historical cloud and to reveal a life story so rich, so sad, so tragic, and so amazing--a "page turner" that brings the magnificent fruit of a hard life to full view. It is not necessary to know anything about music or to be a jazz buff to be inspired by this book.

A. Alyce Claerbaut

4 people found this helpful5 people found this helpful

One of the great jazz biographies

September 16, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I've read a lot of jazz BIOS and this the storyline is broad incorporating Strayhorn and the Black intectual crowd,artistic endeavor and Strays sexual identity durring a different era.Hadju's presentation and level of prose is top notch

One person found this helpful

... the definitive Billy Strayhorn biography and it is truly excellent. It is a fascinating book about a fascinating ...

November 24, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This is the definitive Billy Strayhorn biography and it is truly excellent. It is a fascinating book about a fascinating person and one of the best books I have ever read about a major figure in music. Billy Strayhorn was complex and brilliant and this book offers the best view ever inside the life and times of a tremendously talented person.

One person found this helpful2 people found this helpful

February 15, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Billy Strayhorn is a genius and this book does him justice. A well-researched, well-written book, the author of Lush Life does not make the mistake of including too many boring, mundane details as some biographers do, apparently to indicate how much research they've done. However, Hajdu's thorough research shines through in the tiny details that color the descriptions of Strayhorn's family life as well as the New York scene. Hajdu takes an unflinching look at how Strayhorn's decision to be an openly gay man in a world and a time that was unaccepting, and how that decision affected his career. Strayhorn might not have written any less, but perhaps would have played more and would have been known in his own right if he had decided to hide his lifestyle. This is a touching, informative portrait of a musical genius whose star will one day achieve its properly high place in the firmament of jazz. Musicians of his time always knew his accomplishments. Certainly Hajdu's book will help the public to appreciate Strayhorn. I can't wait for the movie.

2 people found this helpful3 people found this helpful

September 10, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It is a must-read...providing tremendous insight into the life of this true musical genius and incredible human being! It is a book that thoroughly captured my attention, and one that I'm so grateful I read. Mr. David Hajdu, thank you.

One person found this helpful

May 9, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

A nicely written biography. I learned things about Strayhorn that I didn't know before. Made me want to know him personally.

One person found this helpful

An American triumph, an American tragedy

April 29, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

So of course Duke Ellington wrote his signature "Take the A-Train"? This guy wrote it from the subway instructions on his way to becoming a hidden planet. If you are interested in biography, music, tales of genius, black history, gay history, tragedy: Relentlessly reported, beautifully written.

One person found this helpful

Thelma L. Morris

Billy Strayhorn, the musical genius.

April 21, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It is a thorough biography of Billy Strayhorn whose genius was hidden behind Duke Ellington. Billy Strayhorn wrote Take te A Train, Lush Life, Something to Live For, Chelsea Bridge and hundreds of other songs. Billy was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encouraged & accompanied Lena Horne to go south to participate in the Civil Rights demonstrations.

One person found this helpful2 people found this helpful

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