My Dad loved him. He met him after a show back east, in the late 60's. He got his picture and his autograph. He asked that we play this song at his funeral. We did in 2013. ❤
"And His Mother Called Him Bill" is where I first heard this piece. What an amazing soul Strayhorn was. Imagine how much more beautiful music was yet to be written had he not died so young.
I recently discovered that I live in the house where Calvin Dort briefly lived. Dort was the drummer for Strayhorn's first combo, The Mad Hatters, in Pittsburgh. I imagine Ellington feeling Strayhorn's presence when he played this song.
Wish I’d be in love at least for the duration of the magnificent piece of art. I’d dance with my guy, embracing in the breeze of darkness, eyes closed, out of the world.
Really as good as it gets, just exquisite Duke who was one of the all time great piano players on top of his compositions and how he orchestrated the sound of his stupendous all star band. But here we see him telling a story on the piano like only he can. (This is one of many gorgeous cuts on this Copenhagen Convert)
A masterpiece.This was our favorite Strays comp. Duke and Strays were friends to my husband who was a founding member/2nd president of The Duke Ellington Society 1958. I play it often in tribute to my beloved. Btw, Carole Sloane (singing) and Roger Shore wrote lyrics to it under the copyright, "Lotus Blossom Days", and Roger gave me the tape. Exquisite!
Looks like Duke himself is getting quite emotional on this beautiful tune. People don't often think of Ellington as being one of the great piano players since his instrument really was his orchestra. But here we have a great example of Ellington playing just enough. He knew not to over play and was not afraid to play from the heart.
when he was young, he could play james p johnson's compositions. he just wanted to be more than 'a tickler'. once tatum showed up, there was no point for anyone to try to compete with him. but duke could play.
When Duke finally made a recording with only a trio with his piano playing highlighted, some people recognized where Thelonius Monk came from. Monk's own first LP was covers of Ellington tunes.
Absolutely, he is just playing "the" notes, note more note less, everything makes sense. He's just my favorite piano player and my favorite musician, with Beethoven.
One day in May, 1974, my electronics teacher brought in a portable player and some of his collection of jazz 78s. "The Duke is dead," he told me, and I saw he'd been crying.
This piece on the CD release of 'And his mother called him Bill' was recorded almost accidentally as various noises can be heard in the background -- I think someone kept the tape running and captured it. The full orchestral version is also on the CD but this Duke solo one is superb.
In his autobiography and in a spoken word passage in his Second Sacred Concert, Duke Ellington listed what he considered Strayhorn's "four major moral freedoms": 1.) Freedom from hate, unconditionally. 2.) Freedom from self-pity (even through all the pain and bad news). 3.) Freedom from fear of possibly doing something that might possibly help another more than it might himself. 4.) Freedom from the kind of pride that might make a man think that he was better than his brother or his neighbor.
![Duke Ellington - Mood Indigo [Restored]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RFUSD23ZXEw/mqdefault.jpg)
My Dad loved him. He met him after a show back east, in the late 60's. He got his picture and his autograph.
He asked that we play this song at his funeral. We did in 2013. ❤
"And His Mother Called Him Bill" is where I first heard this piece. What an amazing soul Strayhorn was. Imagine how much more beautiful music was yet to be written had he not died so young.
I split my head open when I was younger and when I awoke in hospital I heard this.
Wow, this is just 3 months before Strayhorn died. Haunting.
"Billy Strayhorn was my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brain waves in his head, and his in mine.”
Duke Ellington
I think this is Billy's most beautiful tune. Absolutely exquisite.
Strayhorn and Ellington- the greatest dynamic duo of all time.
I recently discovered that I live in the house where Calvin Dort briefly lived. Dort was the drummer for Strayhorn's first combo, The Mad Hatters, in Pittsburgh. I imagine Ellington feeling Strayhorn's presence when he played this song.
Beautiful. To call Mr Ellington anything less than a master is an insult.
Wish I’d be in love at least for the duration of the magnificent piece of art. I’d dance with my guy, embracing in the breeze of darkness, eyes closed, out of the world.
I get a little emotional when listening to "lotus Blossom" or any other composition of
Billy Strayhorn...the great
Me Too. Amazing, just beautiful.
Playing piano in a band
Oh! By the way,I get extremely emotional. Sound goes to my brain, and then that miracle happens. Love it!
Gorgeous song composed by Billy Strayhorn sensational Composers, i love you Duke!!!!❤.
Really as good as it gets, just exquisite Duke who was one of the all time great piano players on top of his compositions and how he orchestrated the sound of his stupendous all star band. But here we see him telling a story on the piano like only he can. (This is one of many gorgeous cuts on this Copenhagen Convert)
私はつい最近、この曲を歌い間奏をテナーサックスで吹きました。バラードではなく少し遅めのJAZZ Waltzにしました。歌詞とメロディーが美し過ぎて涙が出そうでした。若くして亡くなったBilly、永遠の命が欲しかったですね。録音した歌とテナー、私もお葬式で流して欲しいと夫に言いました。７４歳。Chi
I saw Ellington play this on his last British tour. What a privilege. Was there ever a more heartfelt or moving tribute in music?
Arietta op 111 by Beethoven.
My two favorite musicians.
Escuchar esta música es un caricia al alma. Pura sensibilidad
Love music more than human beings. Excuse my frankness. This piece of art is engraved in my soul.
Sure get your point. But get mine too: who is the species that keeps creating all this fine music with their craft, emotion and passion? :-)
Thank you Lord for these 2 genius composers
Struggente e meravigliosa. Intensa ed emozionante. Ti trasporta,ti emoziona. Unica!
Cuanta belleza, talento y sensibilidad. Maestros por la eternidad.
A masterpiece.This was our favorite Strays comp. Duke and Strays were friends to my husband who was a founding member/2nd president of The Duke Ellington Society 1958. I play it often in tribute to my beloved. Btw, Carole Sloane (singing) and Roger Shore wrote lyrics to it under the copyright, "Lotus Blossom Days", and Roger gave me the tape. Exquisite!
Wow amazing. I would love to hear the tape. You should post it here on TH-cam!
Looks like Duke himself is getting quite emotional on this beautiful tune. People don't often think of Ellington as being one of the great piano players since his instrument really was his orchestra. But here we have a great example of Ellington playing just enough. He knew not to over play and was not afraid to play from the heart.
when he was young, he could play james p johnson's compositions. he just wanted to be more than 'a tickler'. once tatum showed up, there was no point for anyone to try to compete with him. but duke could play.
When Duke finally made a recording with only a trio with his piano playing highlighted, some people recognized where Thelonius Monk came from. Monk's own first LP was covers of Ellington tunes.
Absolutely, he is just playing "the" notes, note more note less, everything makes sense. He's just my favorite piano player and my favorite musician, with Beethoven.
Solitude is my favorite tune Ellington plays on piano solo by the way.
Absolutely beautiful
Exquisite . Secular, yet Sacred. Simply. Exquisite.
One day in May, 1974, my electronics teacher brought in a portable player and some of his collection of jazz 78s. "The Duke is dead," he told me, and I saw he'd been crying.
Wonderful
Un clásico de piano,gran talento,;
This piece on the CD release of 'And his mother called him Bill' was recorded almost accidentally as various noises can be heard in the background -- I think someone kept the tape running and captured it. The full orchestral version is also on the CD but this Duke solo one is superb.
My favorite ❤
Timeless.
Great!
Thanks to your post.
His mother called Billy. It was one of my favorite record. Thank you for the film.
In his autobiography and in a spoken word passage in his Second Sacred Concert, Duke Ellington listed what he considered Strayhorn's "four major moral freedoms":
1.) Freedom from hate, unconditionally.
2.) Freedom from self-pity (even through all the pain and bad news).
3.) Freedom from fear of possibly doing something that might possibly help another more than it might himself.
4.) Freedom from the kind of pride that might make a man think that he was better than his brother or his neighbor.
❤te amo
Obrigada❤
Beautiful 😂😊
Fantástico!
Wonderful B.Strayhorn piece ... Duke Ellington repeated that "Aaron (Bridgers) played it better" than him..where is this Aaron recording??
Absolute Master. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful video of the Duke.
Stephen Colbert sent me.
Jon Batiste. God bless him and his family. Incredible little playlist.
Thanks to Jon Baptiste, so much a great musician himself.
💔✨🎶
😆👍✨
Does it really get better than this?
I don't know, but I'm glad the music is here all the same.
Nope.
Superbe bien sûr, c’est le grand Duke mais je préfère la version de Raymond Fol