Ben Martin Quartet Play Tribute to Ellington and Strayhorn [ Sunday Afternoon Jazz]

William (Billy) Thomas Strayhorn was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger, who collaborated with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington for nearly three decades. His compositions include Take The A Train, Chelsea Bridge, A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing and the divine Lush Life.

Strayhorn’s relationship with Ellington was always difficult to pin down: Strayhorn was a gifted composer and arranger who seemed to flourish in Duke’s shadow. Ellington was arguably a father figure and the band was affectionately protective of the diminutive, mild-mannered, unselfish Strayhorn. Ellington may have taken advantage of him but not in the mercenary way in which others had taken advantage of Ellington; instead, he used Strayhorn to complete his thoughts and introduce new musical ideas, while giving him the freedom to write on his own and enjoy at least some of the credit he deserved.

The band will concentrate on some of the duo’s most popular work including Satin Doll, Day Dream and re-workings from the Far East Suite including Isfahan. Incidentally, these musical works inspired Peggy’s Co-owner Rachel Foster’s culinary masterpieces that makeup Peggy’s menu.
 

Lineup
Ben Martin – tenor, alto and soprano saxophones and flute
Paul Deats – piano
Martyn Spencer – double bass
Andrew ‘Woody’ Wood – drums