The biggest concert in AGMC history will honor the work of Billy Strayhorn, the African-American and openly gay composer of such classics as Take the A-Train, Satin Doll, Lush Life and many other tunes made famous by Duke Ellington. Shimmering arrangements for male voices are woven together by characters of the women who were closest to the composer, including Lillian Strayhorn, Lena Horne, Ruth Ellington Boatwright and Marian Logan. Lush Life, presented in collaboration with Jazz Orchestra Atlanta and in partnership with the National Black Arts Festival, features guest stars Donzaleigh Abernathy, John Wesley Wright and L'Tanya Moore.  It also includes a free pre-concert lecture by Larry Strayhorn on the life and music of his late uncle.

Most known for her leading role on Lifetime’s critically acclaimed series Any Day Now, Donzaleigh Abernathy also starred in the films Murder in Mississippi, Miss Evers' Boys and Ned Blessing. The daughter of Atlanta's own Ralph David Abernathy, Donzaleigh will return home to bring to life the characters of key women in Billy Strayhorn's life, including his mother, Lillian Strayhorn; his close friend, singer Lena Horne; sister of the Duke, Ruth Ellington Boatwright; and friend of the Abernathy family, Marian Logan, who stood by Strayhorn throughout his career. Through a series of powerful monologues as each of these women, the celebrated actress will tell the story of the struggle and triumph of the man behind the music of the Duke.

Tenor John Wesley Wright is known for his artistic and soulful interpretations of music from baroque to Broadway. He is a member of the acclaimed American Spiritual Ensemble and is highlighted in the 2007 PBS documentary The Spirituals: Featuring the American Spiritual Ensemble. A distinguished competitor, he was gold medalist and top prizewinner of the Savannah Music Festival American Traditions Vocal Competition 2000 and has claimed top prizes from numerous other regional, national and international competitions.  John joined the Salisbury University music faculty in the fall of 2006.  In his second appearance with the AGMC, he will bring to life several signature Strayhorn tunes, including the heart-wrenching Lush Life.

Atlanta native L’Tanya Moore received a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, with honors, from Morris Brown College.  She completed her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  L’Tanya currently serves as director of the McDonald’s Stellar Awards youth choir, and is the Director of Music and Activities at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church where she has served under her father, the Reverend George Moore, for the past 10 years. A noted teacher, Ms. Moore facilitates workshops in Vocal Pedagogy and Music Ministry Development.  She is in constant demand as a praise and worship leader for conferences across the country. Making her debut with the AGMC, L’Tanya will perform some of Strayhorn’s masterpieces, including Satin Doll.