Reservoir Media Acquires Billy Strayhorn Catalog

The company also gains management rights for the late composer's name, image, and likeness.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in R&B

Reservoir Media Acquires Billy Strayhorn Catalog

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Reservoir Media has acquired the music publishing catalog of renowned composer and pianist Billy Strayhorn. In partnership with the Billy Strayhorn Songs, Inc. estate, the company will also manage his name, image, and likeness rights.

Why it matters

This move strengthens Reservoir's portfolio of jazz legends, building on its recent acquisition of the Miles Davis catalog. The deal formalizes a business relationship between the company and the Strayhorn estate that has existed since 2014.

Reservoir reported $175.7 million in total revenue for fiscal year 2026 and deployed $120 million in capital throughout the same period. This follows the company's September 2025 acquisition of the Miles Davis publishing catalog.

The players

Reservoir Media

This is an independent music company that manages a vast portfolio of music rights and catalogs.

Billy Strayhorn

He was a distinguished composer, lyricist, pianist, and arranger who created numerous jazz standards.

Duke Ellington

He was a legendary jazz bandleader and composer who collaborated with Strayhorn for nearly three decades.

North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

This organization celebrates and preserves the musical heritage and achievements of artists from North Carolina.

Songwriters Hall of Fame

This institution honors songwriters who have made significant contributions to the popular music landscape.

The details

Billy Strayhorn was a prolific composer and arranger who famously joined Duke Ellington's band in 1939. His contributions to music were further recognized with a 1984 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a 2026 induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

1939: Billy Strayhorn joined Duke Ellington's band.
2014: Reservoir Media and the Strayhorn estate began their partnership.
September 2025: Reservoir acquired the Miles Davis music publishing catalog.
October 15, 2026: The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony.
October 19, 2026: Reservoir announced the acquisition of Strayhorn's publishing catalog.

Industry Dynamics

This deal underscores the ongoing trend of music firms aggressively acquiring legendary jazz catalogs to secure high-value intellectual property. It positions Reservoir Media to better compete for classic publishing rights against major label conglomerates.

Fans can expect to see increased availability and curated releases of Strayhorn's compositions across streaming platforms under the new management. This deal ensures that his legacy work will continue to be licensed for films, television, and future commercial recordings.

The takeaway

The acquisition of the Strayhorn catalog emphasizes the long-term investment potential of jazz standards and historical music assets. Listeners can continue to explore Strayhorn's vast influence on American music through his timeless compositions and arrangements.