Allan Harris: In his own words
on the music of Billy Strayhorn

NOTES:

Tape time is: 4:50, including a :33 music tail.
Script includes space to enhance the intro with an optional music 'nose' 
of one of Strayhorn's best known tunes.

INTRO: 
 
Duke Ellington shaped much of the sound of jazz. "Prelude to a Kiss,"
"Satin Doll," "Mood Indigo" ... they're all tunes from the Ellington book. 

But for almost 30 years, Ellington's sound was shaped by his 
collaboration with a man who stayed mostly in the shadows ... 
Billy Strayhorn.  When Strayhorn first met Ellington in New York, 
he arrived with a new composition in hand. It was inspired by his 
subway directions. He was supposed to ... "Take the A Train."

[OPPORTUNITY FOR NOSE: PLAY ELLINGTON RECORDING 
OF ÒTAKE THE A TRAINÓ]

It's sometimes hard to tell an Ellington tune from a Strayhorn tune. 
But where Ellington was at ease in the limelight, Strayhorn stayed 
in the background. His classic "Lush Life" demonstrates his refined 
wit  ... and his melancholy. Strayhorn was black and gay -- and he 
keenly felt the burdens of prejudice.  

Singer Allan Harris has worked with Strayhorn's family to bring to 
light some of StrayhornÕs less known songs ... and to shed new 
light on some of the classics. HereÕs how Harris describes his 
approach to Strayhorn ... in his own words.

TAPE IN: "Strayhorn brings a very wonderful melodic sense of the 
European meets the African ..."
TAPE OUT: (ends with music). Last spoken words: "... thatÕs the 
genius of his writing ability."

OUTRO: 

Singer Allan Harris, with the music of Billy Strayhorn. 
We heard from him as part of"Musicians in their own words," 
produced by David Schulman and supported by the Corporation 
for Public Broadcasting.  

[Allan Harris will be performing on DATE at VENUE in CITY.]


ALTERNATE CREDIT LANGUAGE, IF READ AT END OF HOUR:

"'Musicians in their own words'' is produced by David Schulman and 
supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."