Duke Ellington: ...And His Brother Called Him Bill

Goodbye to a friend. The first few tracks hang on to hope, but the divine sadness, the anger, and the sense that Johnny Hodges is trying to keep the dying Billy Strayhorn alive with each note of “Blood Count” are difficult to describe in words. After Strayhorn’s gone, the wake begins: a musical celebration of Ellington’s creative soulmate. “Smada” sets a festive mood. Then the band gets down to business with radiant renditions of Strayhorn compositions: “Rock Skippin’ at the Blue Note,” “Rain Check,” and the sublime “Intimacy of the Blues.” The irresistible wah-wah of Cootie Williams’s groaning trumpet, an Ellington signature since 1929, closes.

For more about Ellington's creative partner, read "Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn" by David Hadju
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=1348
And, for a different perspective, listen to Joe Henderson's tribute album to Strayhorn:
http://www.amazon.com/Lush-Life-Music-Billy-Strayhorn/dp/B0000046KH