Thank you, Marco. I think that's true - certainly the recording of 'The Nutcracker' was, I think, one of the very few times he was explicitly created on an LP front cover.
Duke and Billy worked so well together that it's hard to tell where one man's influence on the work ended and the other's began. Granted, most of the pieces Strayhorn wrote on his own betray Ellington's influence, but Ellington's influence on other jazz musicians had its own zip code.
Great piece Robert. I have known people who have said that Billy Strayhorn did not get the recognition that he deserved.
Thank you, Marco. I think that's true - certainly the recording of 'The Nutcracker' was, I think, one of the very few times he was explicitly created on an LP front cover.
I have the "Nutcracker" on a cd of Ellington Suites so I had never seen the LP cover that you are referring to in your post today.
I've never seen it earlier - I have the suite on the same CD you have.
Duke and Billy worked so well together that it's hard to tell where one man's influence on the work ended and the other's began. Granted, most of the pieces Strayhorn wrote on his own betray Ellington's influence, but Ellington's influence on other jazz musicians had its own zip code.
Oh, I agree on that. There was a deep, deep simpatico between Ellington and Strays.