Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn by David Hajdu

Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn Reviews

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  Michael P. Stratton

  I’d just produced a radio program of Strayhorn compositions and came across this wonderful bio by David Hajdu. I regret that I hadn’t read it before. A true genius and a unique and singular individual. He defied societal norms and expressed the human spirit through some of
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  Nancy Griffin

  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 theyve
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  Liz Duncan

  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 Strayhorns story is compelling, especially in this day
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  Lee Cronbach

  This gives a lot of information, with quotes from knowledgeable musicians and friends, about Duke Ellingtons alter ego, Billy Strayhorn, who from c. 1936 until c. 1967 wrote many of Dukes arrangements, either in collaboration or by himself. Because Strayhorn was
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  Timothy

  It is a must readproviding tremendous insight into the life of this true musical genius and incredible human being! It is a book that thoroughly captured my attention, and one that Im so grateful I read. Mr. David Hajdu, thank you.
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  E. A Young

  I dont think I can add much than what other reviews have said. Incredibly well researched and well written. I learned so much about the life and struggles of one of my composition heroes, including the complexity of his relationship with The Duke.
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  anonymous423

  So of course Duke Ellington wrote his signature Take the A Train? This guy wrote it from the subway instructions on his way to becoming a hidden planet. If you are interested in biography, music, tales of genius, black history, gay history, tragedy: Relentlessly
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  Wayne Corey

  This is the definitive Billy Strayhorn biography and it is truly excellent. It is a fascinating book about a fascinating person and one of the best books I have ever read about a major figure in music. Billy Strayhorn was complex and brilliant and this book offers the
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  雲とナカジマ

  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。
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  Redrose

  As a fan of all things connected to Duke Ellingtons 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.
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  tenorist_uk

  A fantastic biography. Its 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 wasnt distracting and the book earns a place on my bookshelves!
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  C. Allingham

  Cool and interesting guy. Strange that he is so underrated. He just didnt have that ability to push himself out front.