Lush Life: Philadelphia Celebrates Billy Strayhorn

Lush Life: Philadelphia Celebrates Billy Strayhorn is a diverse, inter-generational tribute to Dayton-born, Pittsburgh-raised, pianist, composer and arranger, William Thomas Strayhorn. As Duke Ellington's creative partner for over 30 years, the openly gay and unprecedented Strayhorn created such classics and standards of the Great American Songbook as “Take The A-Train”, “Satin Doll” and of course, “Lush Life.” As half of one of America's most important musical collaborations, Billy Strayhorn penned some of the most enduring music of the 20th century.

Lush Life: Philadelphia Celebrates Billy Strayhorn showcases some of Philadelphia’s finest musicians, vocalists and poets. The presentation is produced by the Philadelphia Jazz Project in conjunction with OutBeat: America’s First Queer Jazz Festival. The performance is built around the arrangements and conducting talents of bassist/composer Keith DeStefano and his exceptional octet, Puzzlebox. It will present re-imaginings of Strayhorn and Ellington's work, as well as explorations of compositions by artists whom they influenced including artists like Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and David Murray.

The evening will feature big band, solo, accapella and ensemble performances by such artists as;

    ▪    Terell Stafford
    ▪    Tim Warfield
    ▪    Barbara Montgomery
    ▪    Andy Kahn
    ▪    Ella Gahnt
    ▪    Eddie Bruce
    ▪    Keith DeStefano & Puzzlebox
    ▪    Ty Stephens
    ▪    Rhenda Fearrington
    ▪    Kevin Valentine
    ▪    Monette Sudler
    ▪    Raymond A. King
    ▪    Karen Smith
    ▪    Matthew Clayton
    ▪    Elliott Levin
    ▪    V. Shayne Frederick
    ▪    Terry Lawson
    ▪    Keisha Slaughter
    ▪    and many others