A free event hosted by Joseph Hall, Executive Director of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.

The discussion will focus on Billy Strayhorn's incredible contributions to the world of jazz and his life as an out, queer, Black man during a time when that was a very radical thing to be. Panelists include David Hajdu, writer of the biography "Lush Life;" Pittsburgh jazz historian Dr. Nelson Harrison; music professor and contributor to the book "Strayhorn: An Illustrated Life," Bruce Mayhall Rastrell; co-founder of the Pittsburgh Queer History Project Harrison Apple; and MCG Jazz Executive Producer Marty Ashby. Ticket purchase not required. 

From his impoverished beginnings in Pittsburgh to his lifelong collaboration with Duke Ellington, this world-premiere new musical follows the highs and lows of Billy Strayhorn's career, the joys and heartbreak of his personal life, and the challenges he faced living as an openly gay Black man in mid-20th century America at the dawn of the civil rights movement. Through his collaborations with Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and the greatest jazz orchestra of all time, Billy Strayhorn transcended racial and sexual barriers and brought a unique fusion of jazz and classical music to the world with all-time favorites including “Take the ‘A’ Train” and the immortal “Lush Life.”