Although not initially released until 1992, 25 years after composer
Billy Strayhorn
's death, this is his definitive CD.
Strayhorn
is heard singing
"Lush Life"
while backed by
the Duke Ellington Orchestra
in 1964 (his voice is not strong but his phrasing is quite sincere), jamming on piano with fluegelhornist
Clark Terry
and
Bob Wilbur
(on clarinet and soprano) in a quintet, backing singer
Ozzie Bailey
, and taking a pair of piano solos (
"Love Came"
"Baby Clementine"
). These are very valuable and intriguing recordings, shedding some new light on a nearly invisible genius. ~ Scott Yanow