Billy Strayhorn? Wasn’t he a jazz guy? Why yes, he was. But he was in jazz because he was kept out of classical music. Sure, Billy gave us a TON of classic and timeless jazz tunes. But the world of classical music missed out on a priceless voice because of its own gatekeeperism. In this episode, Alice regales Shahid with the grandeur of Billy Strayhorn’s life in New York, and its entanglement (positive or otherwise) with “the king of all, sir” Duke Ellington.

Works Discussed:

Piano Concerto in a minor - Edvard Grieg

Concerto for Percussion and Piano - Strayhorn

Sophisticated Lady - Duke Ellington

Take the A Train - Strayhorn

Lush Life - Strayhorn

Background Music:

Grieg Piano Concerto in a minor

Sophisticated Lady

Theme from Ratatouille

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Classical Queeros is a podcast that aims to spotlight queer composers and make classical music more accessible. Follow us on Instagram @classicalqueeros and Twitter at @classicalqueero!