Why Billy Strayhorn's Arrangements Sound So Unique

[@OscarBruten]

Terrific! I’ve been transcribing lots of Strayhorn recently, knowledge of Strayhorn is CRIMINALLY lacking in the big band education scene!

[@TheStewie117]

Hey, how do you transcribe big band music? Just by ear and then making out what each part plays?

[@marlonmartinezmusic]

Hi Oscar! Thank you for checking this out! I agree with you that more people, including jazz players, should know about Strayhorn’s writing style and his unique sound which impacted many of the foremost modern jazz artists to follow him! What scores have you transcribed lately? :) Tune in to my livestream concert honoring Strayhorn, March 27 at the Colburn School.

[@marlonmartinezmusic]

@@TheStewie117 Hey there! Great question. I transcribe by ear, using as many studio and live recordings I can find of the exact chart and performers I’m studying. That way you get a better sense of the notes that might be hard to hear in one particular recording. I also enjoy when I can separate left speaker to right speaker, if a mix isolates individual sections into opposite sides. This is the case with many Ellington-Strayhorn sessions from the 50s and 60s. Overtones, note changes and sometimes mistakes, are the areas that take me the most time discerning.

[@TheStewie117]

@@marlonmartinezmusic Hey thanks for answering! I play jazz piano and have been able to transcribe many piano recordings by ear, but always found transcribing big band arrangements by ear way harder. I’ll be sure to take note of your advice. Thanks.

[@OscarBruten]

@@marlonmartinezmusic I’ve been looking at the Queen’s Suite. It feels more classical influenced than other pieces, less big swinging sections. I’d love to tune in!

[@blackbrownbeige55]

Fascinating and well done. I did 2015 Billy Strayhorn Centennial presentations in Pittsburgh focused on his revolutionary biographical and compositional presence in the Ellington world and beyond.

[@marlonmartinezmusic]

Thanks for your support Bill! As Strayhorn would say: “Ever up and onward!”

[@blackbrownbeige55]

@@marlonmartinezmusic You are doing great work. I am happy to support it. Newly RE UPLOADED is my 2015 Billy Strayhorn Centennial presentation given in the Spring and Fall in Pittsburgh kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXirl4qerspli6M

[@michaellakinloch5371]

Way beyond my very limited musical understanding, but most interesting. Such wonderful sounds.

[@johnstrayhorn179]

Thank you Marlon for this music theory anslysis of Strayhorn!

[@marlonmartinezmusic]

Thank you John. “Ever Up and Onward!” 💖🙏🏾

[@Rob21ization]

I hope you’ve heard the piano duet with Duke Ellington “Tonk”. Insane stuff

[@noahpettibon]

That fisheye shot of Harry Carney knocked me out

[@gilevansinsideout]

Cool vid, thanks!

[@marlonmartinezmusic]

Thank you for enjoying this video! :D I hope you enjoy my Billy Strayhorn tribute here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGSmmoCIqs9qfLc

[@pscottlivingnow]

🙏 Amazing...Thx U ❤️

[@KonradKoselleck]

Good video on this topic! And great to see Juliane playing in your band 🙂

[@marlonmartinezmusic]

Hey Konrad! Thank you, and yes Juliane is awesome to work with!

[@KonradKoselleck]

@@marlonmartinezmusic When Juliane lived in Holland she played often in my band: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maGYcmeuf6hrhaM By the way: This arrangement/recomposition of a piece of Gluck is inspired by Ellington Strayhorn's approach of Tshaikovsky Nutcracker. Mind blowing to me how they did it, leaving him in his value and at the same time being also themself!

[@bedroomguitars]

Great video!!! Just curious, is there a reason you filmed and edited the video in vertical?

[@marlonmartinezmusic]

Hey there! Thanks for watching! I filmed this video in vertical to fit instagram lol