Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn cover

Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn

Released

In his final decade, Henderson recorded a number of tribute albums, but he always made the material his own. This was the first, and he approached the tunes from multiple angles: while “Isfahan” was a duo with bassist Christian McBride, “Lotus Blossom” showcased pianist Stephen Scott, and “Take The A Train” was stripped to sax and Gregory Hutchinson’s drums, three other tracks featured the full band plus trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and the title piece is an album-closing solo excursion. It’s all beautiful, and because it’s all from Billy Strayhorn’s pen, it flows together seamlessly.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Without Deception cover

Without Deception

Johnathan Blake, Kenny Barron, Dave Holland
Good Hope cover

Good Hope

Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Zakir Hussain
A New Journey cover

A New Journey

Craig Bailey
New Spring cover

New Spring

Enrico Pieranunzi
Spirits of Congo Square cover

Spirits of Congo Square

Donald Harrison, The New Orleans Legacy Ensemble
Speak No Evil cover

Speak No Evil

Wayne Shorter
Mood Indigo cover

Mood Indigo

Frank Morgan