Billy Stritch

Stritch was born on February 12, 1962, in Houston and grew up in Sugar Land, Texas. Af 8 or 9, he heard big band music for the first time. In 1979, he graduated from Dulles High School in Sugar Land which had a "great" music education program; he played in the school's jazz band. He played in a jazz vocal trio while at the University of Houston. The trio played jazz festivals for nine years. The trio broke up and Stritch moved to New York City.{{cite web|url=https://charlierose.com/videos/18854|work=Charlie Rose (PBS)|title=Billy Stritch and Liza Minnelli |first=Charlie|last=Rose|date=May 24, 1993|access-date=October 1, 2019}} Stritch met singer Marilyn Maye about 1980, while she was playing a club in Houston.{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Kevin |title=Billy Stritch Finds 'Witchcraft' With Cy Coleman |url=https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/story.php?156097 |accessdate=30 June 2022 |date=3 March 2014}}{{cite interview |subject=Billy Stritch |interviewer=Goodsill |title=Billy Stritch |publisher=City of Sugarland |location=Sugarland, TX |page=4 |url=https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23065/60th-Anniversary---Oral-History---BIlly-Stritch-v2 |format=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016201321/https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23065/60th-Anniversary---Oral-History---BIlly-Stritch-v2 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |access-date=30 June 2022}} Since then, he has worked as her frequent accompanist and music director. He recorded his first album in 1992, the self-styled jazz LP, Billy Stritch.{{cite web|url=https://www.talkinbroadway.com/cabaret/stritch.html|work=Talking Broadway|title=Interview with Billy Stritch|first=Jonathan |last=Frank|access-date=October 1, 2019}}

Stritch and Sandy Knox composed the 1994 Grammy Award-winning country song, "Does He Love You," which was recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. The song, about a love triangle, follows a common trope. It peaked as a number one country music hit in both the United States and Canada ending 1993 as the 52nd biggest hit in Canada,{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2327&type=1&interval=24|title=RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993|work=RPM|date=December 18, 1993|access-date=August 5, 2013}} and in the top 40 in the United States.{{Cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1993/hot-country-songs| title=Best of 1993: Country Songs | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | date=1993| access-date=August 5, 2013}} The single won the Grammy award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration,{{cite news | title=And the Winners Are . . . | date=1994-03-02 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/02/arts/and-the-winners-are.html | work =The New York Times | pages =C 22 | access-date = 2009-05-12 | language = en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/36th-annual-grammy-awards-1993|work=Grammy Awards|title=36th Annual GRAMMY Awards|access-date=October 1, 2019}} and although nominated,{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/billy-stritch|work=Grammy Awards|title=GRAMMY Award Results for Billy Stritch|access-date=October 1, 2019}} Stritch lost the best song Grammy to Mary Chapin Carpenter for "Passionate Kisses." Stritch and Knox had written the song when they were part of the trio back in 1982, but until McEntire "grabbed it ... in 1993" and made a surprise hit with it, nobody had recorded the ballad. Even Wynonna Judd rejected it because she "didn't like to sing songs about marital problems."{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lb7TBwAAQBAJ&q=billy+stritch&pg=PA273 |title=Reba: My Story |first1=Reba|last1=McEntire|first2=Tom |last2=Carter|page=273|isbn= 9780804181181|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|year=2015|access-date=October 2, 2019}} In 1996, Minnelli released the song as a duet with Donna Summer, from Minnelli's album, "Gently". In 1997, it appeared on Patti LaBelle's album, Flame.

For 23 years, Stritch was associated with Liza Minnelli, as her "confidant", music director, and piano player.{{cite news | first=Stephen | last=Holden | title=At the Metropolitan Room, Billy Stritch Pays Tribute to Mel Tormé| date=2006-05-13 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/13/arts/music/13stric.html | work =The New York Times | pages =C 13 | access-date =October 1, 2019 | language = en}} They met when Stritch was playing piano in Manhattan, in March 1991.{{cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/q-liza-minnelli-arranger-billy-stritch-article-1.73219|work=New York Daily News|title=Q AND A LIZA MINNELLI'S ARRANGER BILLY STRITCH|first=Pat|last=O'Haire|date=December 8, 2006|access-date=October 1, 2019}} That night seeing her, he played musical themes from films of Vincente Minnelli, her father, and they hit it off immediately. He arranged the music for her show at Radio City Music Hall and opened her act on a national tour of the U.S. In 1999, he arranged music for Liza Minnelli's Broadway one-woman show Minnelli on Minnelli: Live at the Palace, and performed with her in 2008's Liza's at the Palace.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/person/billy-stritch-vault-0000001202|work=Playbill Vault|title=Billy Stritch|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019}} Stritch co-wrote, with Brian Lane Green, I Would Never Leave You for Liza's at the Palace..., a Johnny Rodgers song which was produced by Phil Ramone.

In 2008, Minnelli praised Stritch for their long collaboration on her Facebook page.{{cite web|work=Facebook|title=Liza Minnelli shared a video|url=https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLiza/posts/10156239612639765|quote="I loved working with Billy Stritch. He is a wonderful music director and is just as gifted of a singer. We've had some fun together over the years!"|first=Liza |last=Minnelli |date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=September 30, 2019}} They performed together for the 2009 grand re-opening of the Guildhall in Easthampton, Long Island. Stritch joked that he couldn't afford a "cottage" in the Hamptons.{{cite news|url=https://www.hamptons.com/Out-And-About/Around-Town/7573/A-Fine-Evening-With-Liza-And-Billy-Stritch.html#.XZSixEZKjIU|work=Hamptons.com|title=A Fine Evening With Liza And Billy Stritch|first=Douglas MacKaye |last=Harrington|date=May 26, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2019}}

In 2001, he performed as Oscar in the 2001 Broadway revival of 42nd Street. In the same year he released his third major disc, Jazz Live on Sin-Drome Records, receiving excellent reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-stritch-mn0000070882/discography |work=All Music|title=Billy Stritch Discography|access-date=October 1, 2019}} At that time, he first met Christine Ebersole, who was also in the cast.{{cite news|url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/billy-stritch-connects-industries-networking-52699/|work=Backstage|title=Billy Stritch Connects Industries Through Networking|first=Laura|last=Meltzer|date=August 14, 2012|access-date=October 2, 2019}} Stritch performed in a 2003 concert of Amanda Green's original revue Put a Little Love in Your Mouth!, at off-Broadway's Second Stage Theater in March 2003, which also featured Jessica Molaskey and Mario Cantone.Gans, Andrew (February 20, 2003). "Murney, Butz, Testa Plus Mom Newman Celebrate Amanda Green's New CD at March 17 Concert". Playbill. On most Monday nights since 2003 Stritch provides piano accompaniment for the open mic smorgasbord which is known as "[http://www.castpartynyc.com/ Cast Party]," hosted by his long-time friend Jim Caruso at Birdland, a Manhattan jazz club.

In 2006, he developed a new show to serve as a tribute to his idol, Mel Tormé, opening at New York's Metropolitan Club. The New York Times reviewer wrote that "Mr. Stritch, who even looks a bit like his idol, exudes a similarly cultivated bonhomie. But he has a bigger, rougher voice." Stritch has taken the show nationally, beginning in 2007 and going until at least 2013.{{cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/arts-culture/singer-billy-stritch-paying-tribute-to-mel-torme/|title=Singer Billy Stritch paying tribute to Mel Torme (sic.) |work=Las Vegas Review Journal|first=carol|last=Cling|date=August 22, 2013 |access-date=October 2, 2019}}

For Christmas 2006 he played at the Iridium in New York with guest performers Liza Minnelli, Lainie Kazan, Ann Hampton Callaway, and Sally Mayes. His recording of Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael with Klea Blackhurst was released in October 2008.{{cite web|title=Amazon.com|website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Song-Music-Hoagy-Carmichael/dp/B001G7IDDM|access-date=11 August 2011}} He has performed frequently with Linda Lavin, touring nationally with her in 2017 and 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2017/01/14/temple-isaiahs-intimate-evening-linda-lavin-and-billy-stritch/96471404/ |work=Desert Sun|title=Temple Isaiah's intimate evening with Linda Lavin and Billy Stritch|first=Barry|last=Dayton|date=January 14, 2017|access-date=October 2, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://metrosource.com/linda-lavin-billy-stritch-best-friends-cafe-carlyle/|work=Metrosource|title=Linda Lavin and Billy Stritch are "The Best of Friends" at Café Carlyle|first=Paul|last=Hagen|date=May 10, 2018|access-date=October 1, 2019}} He has also performed with duets with Christine Ebersole; Variety said he punctuated "the lady's repertoire with vigorous piano and vocal support."{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2006/music/reviews/christine-ebersole-and-billy-stritch-1200511456/|work=Variety|title=Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch|first=Robert L.|last=Daniels|date=December 18, 2006|access-date=October 2, 2019}}

He performed at a benefit for Broadway Cares with Luann de Lesseps, of the reality television show, The Real Housewives of New York City, whom she called among "the best in the business."{{cite web|url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/season-10/blogs/luann-de-lesseps/luann-de-lesseps-im-working |work=BravoTV|title=Luann de Lesseps: I'm Working With the Best in the Business|first=Luann |last=de Lesseps|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=October 2, 2019}} In 2013, Stritch joined Jim Caruso in a cabaret show in New York.{{cite news|url=https://observer.com/2013/12/twos-a-crowd-billy-stritch-and-jim-caruso-cover-the-waterfront/|work=New York Observer|first=Rex|last=Reed|title=Two's a Crowd: Billy Stritch and Jim Caruso Cover the Waterfront|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2019}} Rex Reed wrote about the show saying "Every Sunday in December, when the Café Carlyle across the hall is dark, the glamorous Bemelmans Bar is hosting the most enchanting holiday party in town."

Stritch returned to his home town for a gig in 2014, where the Sugar Land Auditorium was renamed the "Billy Stritch Stage" in his honor.{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/fortbend/news/article/Billy-Stritch-and-the-Great-American-Songbook-9805770.php |work=Houston Chronicle|title=Billy Stritch and the Great American Songbook : Just One of Those Things|first=Cynthia |last=Lescalleet |date=October 24, 2014|access-date=October 2, 2019}} In 2015, Stritch toured the U.S. and Canada with Caruso for their show, "The Sinatra Century."{{cite news|work=Broadway World|url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/Jim-Caruso-Billy-Stritch-to-Stage-THE-SINATRA-CENTURY-in-Brampton-20150929|title=Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch to Stage THE SINATRA CENTURY in Brampton|date=September 29, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2019}} He headlined at the 2016 Provincetown Jazz Festival on Cape Cod.{{cite news|url=https://provincetown.wickedlocal.com/entertainmentlife/20160811/billy-stritch-headlines-ptown-jazz-fest |work=Provincetown Banner |title=Billy Stritch headlines P'town Jazz Fest|first=Candace |last=Hammond |date=August 11, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2019}} In 2019, he performed with Marilyn Maye at the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Cotuit, one of the villages of Barnstable, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.{{cite news|url=https://www.capecod.com/newscenter/marilyn-maye-and-billy-stritch-performing-at-cotuit/|work=Cape Code magazine|title=Marilyn Maye and Billy Stritch Performing at Cotuit|first=Grady|last=Culhane|date=August 10, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}

• "The Sunday Set: Recorded Live at The Birdland Theatre" with Jim Caruso (2022)
• "Billy's Place" (2020)
• "Christmas at Birdland" with Jim Caruso and Klea Blackhurst (2019)
• "A Swinging Birdland Christmas" with Jim Caruso and Klea Blackhurst (2016)
• "Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormè" (2012)
• "Dreaming of a Song: the Music of Hoagy Carmichael " with Klea Blackhurst (2008)
• "Sunday in New York" with Christine Ebersole (2008)
• "Billy Stritch -- Jazz Live" (2006)
• "In Your Dreams" with Christine Ebersole (2005)
• "Waters of March -- The Brazilian Album" (1997)
• "Billy Stritch" (1992)
• "The Life"
• "Sondheim - a Celebration at Carnegie Hall"
• "Jim Caruso: Live and In Person"
• Guest artist on Benny Carter's Benny Carter Songbook (1996) and Benny Carter Songbook Volume II (MusicMasters 65134-2 1997)
• Schechter, Scott and Stritch, Billy (2004). The Liza Minnelli Scrapbook. Citadel. {{ISBN|9780806526119}}

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• [http://www.billystritch.com/ Official website]
• {{IBDB name|76017}}
• {{IMDb name|834625}}

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Category:1962 births

Category:People from Sugar Land, Texas

Category:Musicians from Houston

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male musical theatre actors

Category:American stage actors

Category:Nightlife in New York City

Category:American jazz pianists

Category:Living people