Queer Arrangements: Billy Strayhorn and Midcentury Jazz Collaboration

A new book, Queer Arrangements, explores the music and career of Billy Strayhorn at the intersection of jazz and Black queer history. It examines how Strayhorn's identity as an openly gay Black jazz musician shaped his career, including his creative roles and collaborations with Duke Ellington and Lena Horne. The book combines critical analysis, historical context, and cultural theory to offer alternative interpretations of Strayhorn's music and explore Black queer historical routes and sounds.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Wesleyan University Press

Queer Arrangements: Unveiling the Musical and Career Nexus of Billy Strayhorn

In a groundbreaking exploration, Queer Arrangements delves into the life and music of the enigmatic Black queer composer, arranger, and pianist, Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967). This comprehensive study seeks to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of Strayhorn's remarkable career, which intertwined with jazz and Black queer history.

Strayhorn's legacy as a Black queer musician often remains marginalized within canonical jazz narratives. However, Queer Arrangements aims to rectify this by examining the profound impact of his identity on his artistic endeavors. Through a meticulous analysis of selected recordings, scores, and performances, coupled with biographical insights and cultural theory, the book offers alternative interpretive frameworks for understanding Strayhorn's music.

By exploring jazz history through the lens of Strayhorn's queer arrangements, the book unveils new perspectives on his compositions and collaborations. It delves into the creative roles he assumed, the complex dynamics he fostered with his collaborators, and the profound influence he had on iconic singers such as Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald. Queer Arrangements strives to challenge conventional understandings of jazz and highlight the contributions of marginalized voices within the genre.

Through its interdisciplinary approach, Queer Arrangements offers a rich and nuanced understanding of Strayhorn's life and work. It provides a valuable contribution to the field of jazz studies, as well as to the broader study of Black queer history and culture. This book will appeal to music enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone interested in exploring the intersections of identity, music, and history.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819500649