This Sunday, March 23 at 7 pm, jazz pianist Carter Graham will take the stage at the Fort Garry Hotel for Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn and Joe Henderson. The performance promises an evening of rich harmonies and musical storytelling, as Graham explores the legacies of two jazz icons.
The show is inspired by Joe Henderson’s Grammy-winning album, Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn, a tribute to the celebrated composer and longtime Duke Ellington collaborator. Graham, known for his expressive playing and deep appreciation of jazz history, will bring his own interpretations to Strayhorn’s sophisticated compositions and Henderson’s soulful saxophone work.
“I probably first heard Strayhorn in school when I was forced to play one of his charts,” Graham admitted with a laugh. “For my undergrad recital, I played Lush Life, which was a big challenge at the time. There’s a lot of harmonic vocabulary you need to address that piece, and the key sits in a weird spot. It really forced me to listen to different interpretations.”
Strayhorn, classically trained and often working in the shadow of Ellington, was known for his unconventional harmonic choices. His compositions feature lush ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths—elements that resonate deeply with Graham’s own playing style. “He doesn’t write standard chord changes all the time. His melodic writing is so strong, and his knowledge of harmony lets him explore different directions. That’s something I really admire.”
Henderson, a master of improvisation, was another major influence for Graham. “One of my earliest exposures to Joe was hearing the song Recorda Me at a jam session. It has a great melody and vibe,” he said. “Later, I realized he was on one of my favourite jazz albums ever—McCoy Tyner’s The Real McCoy. The way he plays there is just incredible.”
The concert will feature a carefully curated setlist that highlights the depth of both composers' work. While classics like Lush Life are a given, Graham made some tough choices in building the program. “With the band I have—Kevin Waters on drums, John Gordon on alto sax, and Karl Kohut on bass—I wanted to let things develop rather than rushing through too many short songs. It’s about creating a flow and letting the music breathe.”
Beyond just playing the music, Graham wants to tell a story. “I want to paint a picture of their lives and how their music connects,” he explained. “Strayhorn faced challenges as an openly queer Black man in his time, and he didn’t always get the credit he deserved. Henderson, on the other hand, was an improvisational genius who, from what I understand, was even contractually forced to record Lush Life. That tension might have actually made the album even better.”
As for what he hopes the audience takes away from the evening? “I want them to appreciate that two musicians from different generations contributed so much to the language of jazz—and music in general. I hope they walk away feeling uplifted.”
Tickets for Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn and Joe Henderson are available at jazzwinnipeg.com. Don't miss the chance to experience Carter Graham’s heartfelt tribute to these jazz greats in what promises to be an unforgettable night of music.