THE LUSH LIFE

Does it still exist today? And what is it?

It goes back in time, when people of color were called, negroes; later black, and today African Americans. This race made its mark through music, in particular JAZZ. We are referring to the 1930’s, when “gay” had a sublime meaning.

DUKE ELLINGTON was one of the major jazz band leaders that gained prominence. Billy STRAYHORN was an aspiring pianist and composer looking for a break into the limelight; the two ignited and changed the world forever.

THE LUSH LIFE is a chronicle of intoxicants, booze, women of ill repute, and loneliness. A “LUSH” is a habitual drinker, who is often dizzy, seeks company of the same, and is unaware of the heightened decibels of his/her speech.

STRAYHORN came out of that phase, put his experience in jazz lyrics, rose to the top with ELLINGTON, and LUSH LIFE continues to be a hit, now, almost 100 years old.

On November 22^nd, 2024, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra paid tribute to the magnificence of ELLINGTON and STRAYHORN.

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