Billy Strayhorn-Musical Legend

Mr. William Thomas Strayhorn

Recently, I attended a Lena Horne tribute in my community and the guest vocalist mentioned that Billy Strayhorn was Lena's best friend and according to legend Ms. Horne died with a picture of Billy clutched to her bosom. Wow, Ms. Horne a heterosexual woman loving an closeted Gay Man was truly a deep friendship without boundaries. I have to admire Mr. Strayhorn, whose sexuality seeped through his soul while producing some of the best music in history for an audience that didn't care about circulated rumors of his homosexuality.

Mr. Strayhorn was an accomplished pianist, composer, arranger and the ultimate side kick of Duke Ellington.

Mr. Ellington hired the young Strayhorn and didn't exactly know where to place him, but eventually Mr. Strayhorn became a vital member of the band. The similarities of their styles soon begin to manifest and it became difficult to discern where one's style ended and the other's begin.

The jazz composition, "Take the A Train" was both a hit with audiences and one of the best collaborations in jazz. It was often said the Mr. Strayhorn didn't receive his just due. Why is it always the Gay Man that gets the shaft or maybe many audiences weren't ready to deal with a close knit friendship between a straight and gay man in the world of music. My, the times haven't changed much.

Why haven't we seen or heard of biopic of Mr. Strayhorn and all of his endeavors? I'm ready to hear the full story and not just pieces of it--in other peoples biographies. Mr. Strayhorn thou art in jazz heaven, send us a sign of your enduring qualities and let us tell the magnificent truth about your incredible life. Amen!