[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             A SALUTE TO BILLY STRAYHORN AND ELLINGTON '95

                                 ______


                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 1995
  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to pay tribute to Billy 
Strayhorn and his many contributions to jazz music as a pianist, 
composer, lyricist, and arranger.
  Billy Strayhorn will soon be remembered in the city of Pittsburgh 
during ``Ellington '95: The Thirteenth Annual International Conference 
on the Life and Music of Duke Ellington,'' where delegates from 16 
countries and 34 States will be in attendance. This event is dedicated 
to the memory of Billy Strayhorn and is being hosted by the Billy 
Strayhorn Chapter of the Duke Ellington Society in Pittsburgh, PA.
  Billy Strayhorn was born in Dayton, OH on November 29, 1915, and was 
raised in Pittsburgh where he graduated from Westinghouse High School. 
It was in Pittsburgh at the Stanley Theatre, now the Benedum Center for 
the Performing Arts that the close association and collaboration 
between Duke Ellington and Strayhorn began. This remarkably productive 
collaboration endured for nearly three decades and produced more than 
200 compositions and arrangements.
  The musical compositions of Billy Strayhorn are among some of 
America's most popular jazz standards. Billy Strayhorn's music includes 
Take the `A' Train, the Ellington Band's theme song, Lush Life, 
Something to Live For, Day Dream, After All, Chelsea Bridge, Lotus 
Blossom, and Blood Count. Billy Strayhorn has been honored on many 
occasions for his contributions to jazz and was elected to the 
``Songwriters' Hall of Fame'' on April 15, 1984, by the National 
Academy of Popular Music.
  The discovery of previously unknown Billy Strayhorn compositions has 
brought new recognition and acclaim to this great composer's memory. A 
newly discovered composition, Portrait of a Silk Thread, was premiered 
at the 1994 Ellington Conference in Stockholm, Sweden. Other previously 
unknown compositions have been found and will be premiered for the 
world at the Ellington Annual International Conference in Pittsburgh, 
May 24-28, 1995. I am confident that the presentation of these newly 
discovered compositions will be among the highlights of this year's 
Ellington conference.
  Mr. Speaker, it is proper that the Members of the U.S. House should 
take note of Billy Strayhorn and his outstanding contributions to the 
musical heritage of the United States of America and the world. Billy 
Strayhorn and Duke Ellington were ambassadors to the world and helped 
to enlighten millions of individuals from around the globe to the 
American jazz experience. I am pleased that the memory of Billy 
Strayhorn will be celebrated in Pittsburgh later this month and commend 
to the House and the American people ``Ellington '95: The Thirteenth 
Annual International Conference on the Life and Music of Duke 
Ellington.''


                          ____________________