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#1 2011-12-28 03:00:43
- 4F Hepcat
- THE Cat
- Posts: 14333
Billy Strayhorn: The Four Major Moral Freedoms
Ellington had a long association with the pianist and co-composer, Billy Strayhorn.
Strayhorn was an openly gay black man with attitude and he lived by these four moral freedoms, which we on this forum, could do well to also post by, especially lately:
1. Freedom from hate unconditionally.
2. Freedom from self-pity.
3. Fear of doing something that might benefit someone else more than it would him.
4. Freedom from the kind of pride that could make a man feel that he was better than his brother.
Vibe-Rations in Spectra-Sonic-Sound
#2 2011-12-28 04:09:54
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: Billy Strayhorn: The Four Major Moral Freedoms
Oh FUCKING Amen.
#3 2022-05-11 09:40:16
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: Billy Strayhorn: The Four Major Moral Freedoms
Billy Strayhorn, being a kind of hero of mine, I thought I'd resurrect this neglected, possibly despised, thread. I seem to recall reading, circa 1990, Ellington being very matter-of-fact about Billy being a homosexual. Whatever, he composed beautiful songs like 'Satin Doll' - which never fails to bring a delighted smile to my face. I listened to it just the other day sung by Blossom Dearie and a few minutes ago by Billy Eckstine. It really is something. Indeed it is.
#4 2022-05-11 10:50:19
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: Billy Strayhorn: The Four Major Moral Freedoms
In fact, 'Take The 'A' Train' was the first piece of music played at my father's funeral ten years ago, followed by Monk, Armstrong and Coltrane. I think the old chap would have been pleased. I certainly enjoyed the feeling of bemusement around me as the various idiots wondered what had happened to 'Rock Of Ages'.