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

Now the LP offered him and longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn space and structural freedom—room for a full musical arc.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Langston Hughes’s poems were featured on posters in my local library, and everybody knew Duke Ellington because of his signature tune, “Take the A Train,” written by Billy Strayhorn.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2024

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

The fourth and last guard, from three thirty until relieved after daybreak, fell to Wyatt Roundtree, Quince Forrest, and "Moss" Strayhorn.

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