Three Thrillers for the Holiday Weekend

Biographer David Hajdu has just written "Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn" (Farrar, Straus and Girous). The book explores the life of Strayhorn, a Duke Ellington collaborator who composed "Take the 'A' Train," "Lush Life" and "Something to Live For." Strayhorn was black and gay, but maintained a low profile while working with Ellington's band.

A concert and interview with vocalist Susannah McCorkle, accompanied by pianist Cliff Korman. Last week, McCorkle finished a cabaret of Cole Porter tunes in New York City. "The Passionate Cole Porter" was an attempt to prove that Porter was not an unfeeling observer of romance. She also has a CD featuring Cole Porter tunes, "Easy To Love" (Concord Jazz). McCorkle is the youngest singer ever to be included in the Smithsonian Institution's "Popular Music Record Series."