markfeltskog's review against another edition
Sensitive and comprehensive. David Hajdu is a masterful expository prose stylist--this is perhaps the best biography of a major figure in jazz I've ever read.
yeetyeetyeet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Billy Strayhorn is a hero of mine who still doesn’t get the praise that he deserves. He grew up in Pittsburg and lived in New York as an out and proud gay man in the 40’s. Stayhorn’s musical genius was ineffable and on par with any great classical composer be it Bach, Chopin or whoever. Stayhorn could have had the world, but prefered to work in Ellington’s shadow so that he could live freely. Consequently he only ever recorded one record under his name before dying of cancer at age 51.
ethanswanson's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully detailed and respectful of Strayhorn's accomplishments and influence on the music.
clambook's review
4.0
Strayhorn would have been 100 this year, and one could argue that he was one of the great 20th Century composers. Certainly if you view his music and that of Ellington's as that of one man, which much of it kind of was. Hadju does a good job on the events and people of Strayhorn's life, but is weak on the under-the-hood music making and light on the extent of his alcoholism. Read it with the relevant music on in the background.
More...