Black Music Sunday: A jazzy bouquet for May, starring Billy Strayhorn

April showers are behind us, according to the famous song. Keeping those flowers that bloom in May in mind, it’s time to play a musical bouquet—brought to us by instrumental and vocal jazz artists. 

You might think there would be an almost endless list of jazz tunes about flowers, but the list is a fairly short one—thought there are lots of tunes about the spring season. Duke Ellington’s alter ego and co-composer, Billy Strayhorn, nicknamed “Sweetpea,” wrote some lovely compositions that fit this theme.

Join me for a celebration of Strayhorn and a floral musical extravaganza.

”Black Music Sunday” is a weekly series highlighting all things Black music, with over 200 stories covering performers, genres, history, and more, each featuring its own vibrant soundtrack. I hope you’ll find some familiar tunes and perhaps an introduction to something new.