Strayhorn

American  

[strey-hawrn] / ˈstreɪˌhɔrn /

noun

1. William Billy, 1915–67, U.S. jazz pianist and composer: collaborator with Duke Ellington.

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Strayhorn British  

/ ˈstreɪˌhɔːn /

noun

1. Billy, full name William Strayhorn. 1915–67, US jazz composer and pianist, noted esp for his association (1939–67) with Duke Ellington

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Example Sentences

On this album Strayhorn does more than assist; he shapes it, arranging three of its four works.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Davis mentions a dazzling array of influences from other great African American composers as well, such as Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Charles Mingus and McCoy Tyner.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

Its release, in 1960, also suggested an interesting switch in power dynamics between arranger and arranged: The original cover art gave Ellington, Strayhorn and Tchaikovsky the same billing.

From New York Times • Dec. 20, 2023

It's about how queer people have always been with us and always been artistic innovators, including Strayhorn, who was an out gay Black man when both identities were dangerous.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2023

After Wyatt Roundtree and Moss Strayhorn had made down their bed and got into it, Wyatt remarked,— "Did you ever notice, old sidey, how hard this ground is?"

From The Log of a Cowboy A Narrative of the Old Trail Days by Adams, Andy