The world premiere of Billy Strayhorn: Something To Live For, based on the life and music of legendary jazz musician and songwriter, opens the 2023-2024 season at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. The musical runs through October 11.
The production is directed by Kent Gash. A passion project of Rob Zellers, written with Gash, the musical explores Strayhorn's struggles as a Black, queer man in Middle America, as well as his artistic triumphs with Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. The musical features a live jazz band under the direction of pianist Matthew Whitaker.
Whitaker spoke with WBGO's Doug Doyle about the why he is thrilled to be the Musical Director of Billy Strayhorn: Something To Live For.
"From his piano playing to his writing and composing and for this show, I've been definitely digging into a lot of his music, it's just so much. Some songs are really simple and yet still so powerful. I just love playing his songs. It's an honor to be a part of show."
Featuring a stunning score, the musical brings to life the remarkable true story of one of the greatest composers of all time. From his impoverished beginnings in Pittsburgh to his lifelong collaboration with Duke Ellington, this world premiere follows the highs and lows of Strayhorn's career, the joys and hearbreak of his personal life at the dawn of the civil rights movement.
"In this show, Strayhorn's mother says take your gift and brighten the corner wherever you are and that touches me a lot. It's always an honor for me as well to share my gift with others. His composing is really inspiring."
Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Whitaker grew up surrounded my music. His love for playing music first began at the young age of 3 after his grandfather gave him a small Yamaha keyboard. Whitaker was named a Yamaha Artist at 15, becoming the youngest musician to join the stellar group of jazz pianists. He appreciates the musical genius of Strayhorn who wrote "Lush Life" as a young man in the 1930's. "Lush Life" was not recorded for public release until Nat "King" Cole sang it in 1949 with a free and easy feel. Since then, it's become one of the most revered jazz standards.
"The fact that Billy wrote that song with lyrics at a young age, wow, I'm still in awe of that."
Whitaker has also enjoyed collaborating with the legendary Billy Porter who is the lead producer of Billy Strayhorn: Something To Live For.
"When he came to one of the rehearsals at the Yamaha Studios, he was so funny. His singing voice is so amazing."
Porter played the role of Strayhorn in early workshops. Darius de Haas portrays Strayhorn in the world premiere at the O'Reilly Theater in Pittsburgh. The musical is presented by Highmark.
Matthew says he's a musician who happens to be blind and has been blessed with a God-given gift. He says his prayer is that he can continue to be a blessing and inspiration to others.
On October 17, Whitaker will present a concert to benefit his alma mater, the FMDG Music School, a non-profit organization in Manhattan that stands as one of the only community music school in the country dedicated to helping people of all ages pursue their study of music despite their vision loss. Matthew says he's bringing his quintet and will also have select students from FMDG join him on stage.
"This is a big show that really means a lot to me."
That show will take place at Symphony Space in Manhattan.
You can find out more about Billy Strayhorn: Something To Live For at ppt.org.
