HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. - Feb. 17, 2020 - William Thomas "Billy" Strayhorn was born in Ohio in 1915 but spent much of his childhood in Hillsborough, where he learned to play piano at his grandmother's knee. Strayhorn was a prodigy, writing many compositions while still a teenager. His family moved to Pittsburgh where he graduated from High School and where in 1938 he met Duke Ellington who was playing there with his band. Ellington's band was one of the best known and best loved bands in the history of jazz, due in part, to Strayhorn's compositions, arrangements and his collaborations with Ellington for almost 30 years. To this day people who never heard the Ellington band and do not know of Strayhorn do know that you have to "Take the A Train" if you want to get to Harlem.

The Strayhorn show at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts follows the gallery's tradition of honoring Hillsborough authors and artists during the month of February. Previous shows have been inspired by the work of Hillsborough authors Michael Malone, Jill McCorkle, Lee Smith, Allan Gurganus, John Bemis and Nancy Peacock and the 1868 memoir by Elizabeth Keckly who spent part of her life as an enslaved woman in Hillsborough.

A reception for the show will be held at the Gallery from 6-9pm on February 28 during Hillsborough's Last Friday Art Walk.

About the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts:
The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 21 local artists and represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery's offerings include oil and acrylic paintings, pastels, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, jewelry, glass, metals, encaustic, enamel, and wood. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 732-5001. The gallery is open 10am-6pm Monday - Saturday, and 12-4pm on Sunday. More information can be found on the HGA website: http://www.HillsboroughGallery.com

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Hillsborough Gallery of Arts