November 29th

11-29-1915 – 05 31-1967 Billy Strayhorn – Born in Dayton, Ohio. Strayhorn wrote music and arrangements for and with Duke Ellington. The collaboration lasted three decades. He composed the band’s best-known theme, Take The A Train. He also sat in on the piano with the Ellington Orchestra, both live and in the studio. He was openly gay and an African-American pioneer, participating in many civil rights causes. Strayhorn’s first partner was African-American musician Aaron Bridgers. He lived with him until Bridgers moved to Paris in 1947. Strayhorn had a major influence on the career of Lena Horne.  He was a friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. He died of esophageal cancer on May 31, 1967, with his then partner, Bill Grove, at his side.

11-29-1968 Jonathan Knight – Born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is an American singer. He was part of the group New Kids On The Block. In 2011 he stated, “I have lived my life very openly and have never hidden the fact that I am gay. Apparently, the prerequisite to being a gay public figure is to appear on the cover of a magazine with the caption ‘I am gay’. I apologize for not doing so if this is what was expected!” Knight has been in a relationship with Harley Rodriquez since 2008. The two participated in the 26th season of the reality show The Amazing Race, which aired on CBS in early 2015, where they placed 9th.

11-29-1979 Simon Amstell – Born in Gants Hill, London, UK. He is an English comedian, TV presenter, screenwriter, and actor. He is openly gay and Jewish, which occasionally figures in his work. He is best known for his roles as the former co-host of Popworld, and host of Never Mind the Buzzcocks. He was also co-writer and star of the sitcom Grandma’s House, commissioned by BBC2. In 2014 he went on tour, titled To Be Free.