The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. held a 3 day event titled ‘Salute to Strayhorn’, celebrating the music and legacy of this original American voice. This event presented two remarkable concerts, a lecture by the composer’s biographer David Hajdu, a symposium with guest Strayhorn scholars, and screenings of two landmark movies with scores representing his work in the realm of film, Paris Blues and Anatomy of a Murder. The mini festival was a unique offering curated from the riches of the Billy Strayhorn Collection: nearly 8,000 documents, including manuscripts, sketches, photos and papers. The expert Strayhorn scholars (David Hajdu, Alyce Claerbaut, Lisa Barg, Robert O’Meally and Marlon Martinez) examined the composer’s career, from his earliest years in Pittsburgh through his 28-year collaboration with Duke Ellington. 

The 3 day celebration featured one night with the wonderful playing of the Bill Charlap trio and trumpeter Jon Faddis. Saxophonist and conductor Loren Schoenberg, Senior Scholar at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, delved into the Library’s archives to design a standout big band evening bringing to life both great Strayhorn classics and a few rediscovered gems, mastered wonderfully by singer Ekep Nkwelle. Guitar legend Russell Malone shared his new interpretations of Strayhorn’s music, in a very rare chance to hear electric guitar merged with the magical Strayhorn arrangements.

‘Salute to Strayhorn’ was presented through the generous support of the Revada Foundation of the Logan Family of Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 2016, the foundation sponsors the arts (theatre, film, opera, jazz, etc.) and social justice, primarily in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Photo: Strayhorn family members celebrating the 3 day festivities: Left to Right: Celeste Strayhorn, David Strayhorn, Leslie Demus, Alyce Claerbaut, LA based musician and Strayhorn scholar Marlon Martinez, Kenneth Strayhorn and John Strayhorn.