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

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

Recently at the Soraya, the inquisitive young pianist Conrad Tao celebrated the Rachmaninoff anniversary by combining him with Billy Strayhorn, Stephen Sondheim, Irving Berlin and Harold Arlen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2023

Soon afterwards, however, Moss Strayhorn overtook us, and reported that over forty of our saddle horses were missing, while the work mules had been overtaken nearly five miles back on the trail.

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