ENTERTAINMENT

Billy Strayhorn Orchestra comes to Mayo PAC

BILL NUTT
CORRESPONDENT

Many people, rightly, feel that Duke Ellington deserves credit as the jazz artist whose compositions transcended the genre to become the American popular equivalent of classical music.

Paradoxically, Ellington did not write “Take the ‘A’ Train,” his signature tune.

That credit goes to a man named Billy Strayhorn, and if Michael Hashim has any say in the matter, more people will become aware of Strayhorn’s other contributions to music.

Hashim, a fixture in New York’s jazz scene, leads a 15-piece ensemble called the Billy Strayhorn Orchestra. The group will perform this Sunday, June 14, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in a concert sponsored by the New Jersey Jazz Society.

The opening act will be the Newark Academy Jazz Band. The group was a finalist in the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition earlier this year.

The timing of the performance is deliberate. Strayhorn was born in November 1915 and died at age 51. In this, his centennial year, he has been the subject of anniversary concerts and tributes.

“Billy’s music is in the air,” says Hashim, whose performing credits include a tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the baton of Paul Ellington, the Duke’s grandson.

Hashim points out that Strayhorn was both a composer and an arranger, and his demands as an artist are reflected in the arrangements played by the Billy Strayhorn Orchestra.

“What’s striking is the care he took that every player had his part and used his voice in the ensemble,” says Hashim.

Strayhorn composed songs (“Lush Life,” “Something to Live For”) and instrumental works (“Midriff,” “Passion Flower,” “Chelsea Bridge”). Both types of works will be played at the Mayo PAC, as well as rarities like “Lament for an Orchid.”

In addition, Strayhorn crafted arrangements for other popular songs, according to Hashim. “He did a version of ‘Moon River’ that is just gorgeous,” he says.

Though Strayhorn’s name may not be the most familiar, his music continues to find an audience. “Lush Life,” for one, has been covered by artists as diverse as John Coltrane, Nat King Cole, and Rickie Lee Jones.

As for his best-known composition, “Take the ‘A’ Train” benefits from a couple of factors, Hashim says. “It has a great tempo and a great feeling. The melody is simple, but it’s odd.” He notes that the piece also worked as a song with vocals.

Hashim says he is grateful that the New Jersey Jazz Society is sponsoring this concert.

He feels that the Strayhorn tribute will spark people’s curiosity. “I hope people will Walk out thinking about the value of American music, and about the value of black contributions to American music,” he says.

Foremost, though, the purpose of the concert will be to entertain. “There’s a joy that comes from gathering as a community to hear live music,” Hashim says. “I want the audience to expect an all-star band and settle in for a great afternoon of music.”

NJ JAZZ SOCIETY PRESENTS MICHAEL HASHIM’S BILLY STRAYHORN ORCHESTRA

WHAT: Under the direction of alto saxophonist Michael Hashim, the 15-piece ensemble will celebrate the music of a ground-breaking American jazz composer whose works included “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Lush Life.” Opening act is the Newark Academy Jazz Band.

WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 14

WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown

TICKETS: $20 to $25

INFORMATION: 973-539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org.