TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington shared one of jazz’s most legendary musical partnerships. Strayhorn, a brilliant composer and arranger, joined Ellington’s orchestra in the late 1930s and became Ellington’s right-hand collaborator.
Together, they crafted some of the most enduring works in jazz, including Take the “A” Train and Chelsea Bridge. Strayhorn’s lush harmonies and sophisticated structures complemented Ellington’s improvisational genius, creating an elegant, inventive, and unmistakably their own sound.
Their partnership was more than professional—Ellington completely trusted Strayhorn’s musical instincts, often crediting him as “my alter ego at the piano.” Through decades of collaboration, they expanded the boundaries of big band jazz, blending intricate arrangements with expressive solos and leaving a legacy of timeless compositions that continue to inspire musicians today.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.