If you are a fan of such songs as Take the A Train, Chelsea Bridge and my personal favorite song of all time, Lush Life, then perhaps you are familiar with Billy Strayhorn. He was a close friend and collaborator with Duke Ellington. Because Ellington’s name is so much better known, Strayhorn has found himself somewhat relegated to the list of lesser-known songwriters. Halfway to Dawn, which begins performances today and runs at REDCAT through Sunday, is an homage to Strayhorn created by choreographer David Roussève.
In Halfway to Dawn, nine performers are teamed up with music and video imagery to tell the story of this underrated composer and lyricist. Just listen to Strayhorn himself perform Lush Life – a song he started writing at the age of 18.
His homosexuality, being Black, being a strong supporter of civil rights and working in the shadows are the Duke are just a few of the aspects of his life that will no doubt serve as inspiration for Halfway to Dawn.
