What was the event that led to Ellington relying on Mercer and Strayhorn to write a lot of songs in their own name?

This reading comes from David Hajdu’s biography of Billy Strayhorn
(Links to an external site.)
, titled Lush Life. Strayhorn met Duke Ellington in 1938, and would join his organization soon after, writing for and collaborating with Ellington for the rest of his life. Chapter 5 – Beyond Category – picks up soon after their collaboration began, in 1940.

1. What was the event that led to Ellington relying on Mercer and Strayhorn to write a lot of songs in their own name?

2. What was the hit radio anthem composed for Ellington’s orchestra by Strayhorn?

3. Who were the influential soloists on tenor saxophone and bass that joined Ellington’s band at about the same time as Strayhorn?

4. What was “Jump for Joy,” and why wasn’t it a bigger critical success? (100 words)

5. What was the musical revue written near the end of World War 2 where Strayhorn wrote all of the music, but received none of the credit?

6. True or false – Strayhorn was put in charge of said musical because he could write music that would sound just like Ellington.

7. Of the songs included in this playlist
(Links to an external site.)
(and discussed in the reading), which is your favorite, and why? (120 words) (I atatched the picture of the playlist, you can listen it online by searching the song names)

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