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Billy Strayhorn Memorial Page

Pittsburgh, PA

United States

Profile Information:

About Me:: I was born on November 29, 2015, in Dayton, OH. My parents moved to Pittsburgh, PA when I was still an infant so I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA (Homewood-Brushton). I graduated from Westinghouse High School; moved to New York City, and spent my entire career as a lyricist, arranger, and composer for Duke Ellington.
Artist or Fan: fan

Comment Wall:

Dr. Nelson Harrison

I can only thank you..for thinking enough of my taste in music, that you'd invite me to the Strayhorn event. I cant remember a more enjoyable night. I felt completely at home...and dug the music of Strayhorn....soooo much. I really dig writers like Mat Dennis and of course Gershwin...and this Strayhorn belongs right up there with them...no jive. And...it took a guy like Nelson Harrison to introduce...and remind people of the level of excellence...presented. You have much to be proud of....and I mean....all your people. Thanks again, and keep me in mind in future...Donny Cerminara

Oct 18, 2015
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Nelson E. Harrison ! Congratulations on making it happen! Just a wonderful wonderful show at Westinghouse High School last night! A beautiful tribute to Billy Strayhorn. How about six outstanding pianist geniuses in a row, how about that. Professor Geri Allen! Dr. James T. Johnson Jr.! Duke Spaulding! Howard Alexander ! Frank Cunimondo! Kenny Peagler! This is like the Yankees' murderers' row. Boom. Home run it's outta there from Vanessa German, too. I could go on... --- Roger Day

Oct 19, 2015
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Nelson,

Great job, great show!

Rip

Oct 19, 2015
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Leave it toNelson Harrison, to put together the tribute to Billy Strayhorn thing.

Pretty much any endeavor of Dr Harrison is first class...and so rewarding, for all who are wise enough to join in. Ive never been to Westinghouse Hi. I was raised on "the Hill"...Congress St and Wylie Ave, to be exact. I got my first taste of jazz, at the Crawford Grill..at age 14. My initiation was quite by accient...just walkin' past the Grill, when I heard the sound of an Alto, from within. Sunny Stitt...and "that was it"!! Mr Robinson used to let me hang out by the men's room...just to "dig". I was hooked from the very first...an have spent the rest of my life...just digging jazz...be-bop to be exact.

   Well, just last Saturday I got another taste....of great music...all because Nelson Harrison..like Mr Robinson, tendered an invitation..which I was wise enough to accept. I'd known of Strayhorn's collaboration with the Duke...but not the extent I heard at Westinghouse Hi.

    From the very first offering, I knew I was gonna experience something very special. I mean, I was really floored by the simply gorgeous compositions of Strayhorn.

   I felt completely "at home"...and so comfortable. I'm tellin' you...I was totally moved...and intoxicated..by the chord changes...the level of emotion this music heaped on me. This stuff belongs right up there with Gershwin and the most touching pieces ever written by an American, DAYREAM! What a tune! Im a vocalist..out of the Sinatra/Mark Murphy school. You'd better have really good ears...and a real reverence..if you're gonna attempt..Daydream, I thought.

Well, I could write several pages, but I'll conclude by congratulating the Strayhorn family, which was in attendance. You should be so proud. I wanted to just tell them how I felt. Driving home I was humming a couple of Strayhorn's works. I'll certainly include them in future gigs.

Thanks Nelson for the invitation...and...EDUCATION!!

           DONNY CERMINARA

Oct 21, 2015
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Thank you Donny.

Yours are the kind of comments this network craves... true, enthusiastic and educational. Your experience as a performer/listener is fading out in the younger generation because they have been denied exposure to music being distracted by so many other more superficial options. It's not their fault at all but they have been conditioned to think that nothing older than they are is important. Yet the things they calim to enjoy the most were created by the older generations not them.

Good music never loses its value or appeal just as the sounds of nature have the same value though unchanged for eons. What Strayhorn did with 12 notes resulted in thousands of songs, most of them not yet heard. When they become part of the public repertoire will they be considered new? We will be discovering Strayhorn music for centuries to come if we survive as a species and it will always be right on time. Your presence in the audience was an inspiration to the performance because you have the ears to drink it all in.

Thank you for being there.

Nelson

Oct 21, 2015
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Bill Saxonis will be celebrating Billy Strayhorn’s centennial with a four hour special focusing on Strayhorn’s life with an eclectic blend of music, conversation and recorded interviews. The program will include reflections on Strayhorn from biographer David Hajdu, musicologist Walter van de Leur, Ellington bandmate Buster Cooper and nephew Greg Morris. Vocalist Sathima Bea Benjamin will describe recording with Strayhorn and Ellington in Paris, and Willie Ruff will recount working with Strayhorn on “The Suite for Horn and Piano.” The program will air on Saturday, November 28, from 8 AM to noon (NY time) on WCDB 90.9 FM (Albany NY), and to a worldwide audience on the internet. www.wcdbfm.com

Nov 20, 2015
Bill Doggett

Happy Centennial Birthday Billy Strayhorn. You are a Creative Genius who touched not only Duke Ellington but so many more..Thank you for your GIFT. I understand there is so much more music that is just now being discovered. How wonderful. We love you Billy.... Thank you for the joy you continue to bring to so many. From the nephew of one of your Harlem 1939 colleagues: Bill Doggett over at The Savoy Ballroom who was writing and arranging for Lucky Millinder! To Life...... Happy Birthday, Bill Doggett II

Nov 30, 2015

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