As I entered the Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST), my ears instantly perked up. It was already colorful and open in there, yet the sound of music echoing through the lobby only made the atmosphere brighter. We stood around listening to our guide debrief the history behind this memorial of a place. I could not help but catch myself engaged in the music playing on the speakers. I wanted to know more about it: what song was playing, was this one of the playlists featured on their website, was it from a smaller local artist or a bigger Pittsburgh sensation? As we participated in a short movement exercise, I became even more interested in the sounds around me. Music is a big part of my life, and it was no surprise to me that this was what had captured so much of my attention.
Before coming to the KST, I explored their website and the part that interested me most were the playlists they made of Pittsburgh native artists both big and small. I loved this aspect of the website and checked out some of them to see if I was familiar with any of the artists. I knew about Billy Strayhorn and Mac Miller calling Pittsburgh their home. However, I was surprised to find out that other artists I knew and listened to like Wiz Khalifa and Christina Aguilera were also a part of this category! I was able to learn more about their styles and about how Pittsburgh has been and is a huge center for jazz and the blues. Something I really enjoyed about the KST was the “welcome home” message they wanted all their constituents to feel. As someone who experienced the space firsthand, I can attest that they strive to make the space a home for everyone who enters. It is a wonderful feeling to be included in the history of the KST and I love how I was able to connect to it on a personal level through my love of music.
After coming home from the site visit and looking more into the history of KST, I realized that I had an even deeper connection to this place than I originally thought. Billy Strayhorn and I share some similarities. When we were both about 4 years old we lived in the same town, we began playing instruments and taking private lessons in our adolescence, and as we got older we pursued our passions for our love of music. I started playing instruments as a toddler. I got lessons in piano and the drums, also went from the recorder, clarinet, ultimately working my way up to the alto saxophone throughout elementary to high school. I played in a variety of groups but the majority of them were honed in on jazz. As I looked into Strayhorn’s discography, one of his most notable songs, “Take the “A” Train”, caught my attention. During my time playing the saxophone in jazz bands, I remember playing it! Growing up, listening to and playing music was one of my favorite forms of self-care, and the fact that Strayhorn contributed to this just goes to show how deeply his legacy reached and transcended time and space. Playing for audiences and being able to share the joy of jazz the same way that Strayhorn did in his lifetime and continues to do through the magic of KST is truly remarkable.
It all circles back to how well KST serves as a sanctuary for Black and queer livelihood. As a Black woman in jazz, I can relate to some of the struggles and triumphs Strayhorn underwent. For starters, less than half of my jazz classes and bands were Black people, despite the genre being born in our community. I was always usually either one of few or no women, especially when it came to Black women and that was not always the easiest thing to deal with because I lacked a sense of belonging at times. As a Black, queer man in jazz, Strayhorn had to overcome many obstacles thrown his way. No matter what he endured he never let it affect his humility or stifle his talent. Ultimately, he was able to persevere due to the fuel of how much music meant to him which was all that really mattered at the end of the day. Using Strayhorn’s passion, they were able to build their mission around welcoming any and everyone into a space that cultivated creativity and belonging through the sharing of music, performances, dance, and more. I was able to gather so much from its long history and it was great to see how KST grew and changed for the better throughout the decades.
I found my place in this space through my love of music. Not only was I welcomed home at KST, but I felt beckoned back by the connection I made there. They offer so many great opportunities and experiences, it is almost guaranteed that you will find your home here too. Don’t waste any more time, come out and visit today!