Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn

I don't think I can add much more than what other reviews have said. Incredibly well-researched and well-written. I learned so much more about the life and struggles of one of my composition heroes, including the complexity of his relationship with The Duke.Incredible read, time well spent, and I'll be going back to the book periodically.

This gives a lot of information, with quotes from knowledgeable musicians and friends, about Duke Ellington's alter-ego, Billy Strayhorn, who from c. 1936 until c. 1967 wrote many of Duke's arrangements, either in collaboration or by himself. Because Strayhorn was openly gay in the Dark Ages pre-Stonewall, he could not be acknowledged, and his name was omitted from many compositions and recordings of which he was the co-author or sole author. Duke supported Strayhorn very well financially - as Duke did all his musicians - but Strayhorn's forced life in the shadows affected him bitterly, as the author shows here. Four stars, though, because David Hadju has such a wooden prose style that, despite the fascinating facts, the book can be a slog to get through. Still, for any Ellingtonian, this is a must!

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

This is a very fine bio of Strayhorn. It's hard to believe he was 16 when he wrote the song "Lush Life"; but that's genius for you. And he was able to live a pretty lush life. The only negative about this book is the poor quality of the photographs included, clearly the result of some ineptness at the printers. Perhaps this was corrected in subsequent press runs, if there were any (doubtful, this is not a mass-market item.)

A truly fascinating man is revealed in this well-researched and well-written biography. Strayhorn's pioneering work in music is framed by illumination into his pioneering journey through life.

Excellent book about Billy Strayhorn I found his life to be at times very sad but for the most part he lived a Lush Life. I felt transposed back in time reading this book and wished I had seen him live play his music. Great book!!

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.

First rate. Wonderful insight to Billy Strayhorn.

As a fan of all things connected to Duke Ellington's music, I was already well aware of the importance of Billy Strayhorn to the Ellington Orchestra. Although it is impossible to separate the individual inputs of Strayhorn and Ellington into the legacy of the band once Billy joined, David Hadju seems to have successfully managed to tackle the task and written a balanced, warm and sympathetic look at a hugely talented individual.

A fantastic biography. It's given me a fascinating insight into the personal relationships and history from which the music that I know and love came.The book itself had several dog eared pages and odd phrases highlighted in yellow highlighter, but this wasn't distracting and the book earns a place on my bookshelves!

Loved this book! Wish is was a trilogy

Cool and interesting guy. Strange that he is so underrated. He just didn't have that ability to push himself out front.

全米図書批評家サークル賞にノミネートビリー·ストレイホーン（1915年から1967年）は、アメリカの音楽の歴史で最も偉大な作曲家の一人だった。生みの親of　「列車で行こうし」。ストレイホーン氏は、エリントン·オーケストラのエース・ソングライターやアレンジャーとして三十年のために働いた人。彼の友人や協力者デューク·エリントンの影に隠れた。ジャズの巨大なパッチワークとジャーナリズムの数十年に「決定的」是正（USAトゥデイ）ラッシュ·ライフはストレイホーンや他のジャズミュージシャンがハーレムとパリにつながった「豊かな生活」の活気を吸収のアカウントです。この世紀の最も豪華なアメリカ音楽の一部を構成しながら、ストレイホーンは　エリントンが彼の仕事のための弓を取ったことにより、複雑な契約の下で働いた。彼の人生は悲劇的にがんやアルコールの乱用によって短縮された。jazzmenの一つが公然と同性愛者であることのように、小さな、シャイな黒い作曲家は、特異なスタイルと優雅さで彼自身を運んだ。ラッシュ·ライフは、ビリー·ストレイホーンの仕事への興味の熱狂的な復活を巻き起こしています。それは、すでにジャズの古典として知られています。