Billy Strayhorn (November 29, 1915 – May 31, 1967) was an American composer, pianist, and arranger whose sophisticated harmonies and lyrical melodies helped shape the sound of modern jazz. Born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Strayhorn discovered music early, studying piano and classical composition at Westinghouse High School while performing in local clubs.

In 1938, he met Duke Ellington, who immediately recognized his extraordinary talent and invited him to join the orchestra. Their partnership lasted nearly three decades, producing jazz standards such as “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Lush Life,” “Chelsea Bridge,” and “Something to Live For.” Strayhorn’s work blended the discipline of classical composition with the soul of jazz improvisation thus earning him the nickname “the architect behind Ellington’s sound.”

A quiet innovator and openly gay Black man during a time of deep prejudice, Strayhorn infused his music with dignity, grace, and introspection. His compositions became blueprints for emotional complexity in jazz and elevated the genre to an art form of structure and subtlety.

Pittsburgh Connection
Strayhorn moved to Pittsburgh as a child and grew up in the Homewood neighborhood. He attended Westinghouse High School, studied at the Pittsburgh Music Institute, formed a trio that played on local radio, and composed early works including the song that became “Lush Life.” A Pennsylvania state historical marker honoring him stands at Westinghouse High School, and Pittsburgh’s Kelly–Strayhorn Theater (in nearby East Liberty) bears his name alongside Gene Kelly.