Duke Ellington: Take The "A" Train

[pullom19]

This is the Duke at his best. Scaled down to only a few pieces and still swinging. It does not get any better.

[Agorante]

Last Saturday the "L" train ran over two people. Take the "A" train indeed.

[djromes]

there is NO question that this man is a genius.

[gillyguthrie]

Classy

[iwannaberock]

i love it not resolved;)

[MrWhiteCoffie]

AAAH!! Please Resolve your last note!!!!

[YouBrain79]

Anyone knows in which year this has been taken?

[locKsRroots]

Come on...Id dislike it to..listen to it..so damn good...

Makes you mad that even if you played it amazingly... It would never top the originals!

The call at 2:28 the answer 2:32 then they DO IT AGAIN!!

horrible i tell you...horrible

[grandomnesslawlz]

38 people took the B train...

[machinimamarlon]

@tristramshandy3 That's a great observation of the situation. Keep being positive!

[tristramshandy3]

I don't understand why people get mad when folks click dislike for something they like. Hey, if someone doesn't "like" this, so be it; more DUKE for us!

[0live0wire0]

@tristramshandy3 agreed. Why people get offended when someone doesn't like what they do. People are different. Be glad you have your own taste and don't mind the others. And when will these stupid cliches stop? It's getting annoying.

[iwannaberock]

@tristramshandy3 love your comment!!!! a little more duke fore me too

[bonheurbrun]

this is incredible

[MrAndrejulian]

It blows me away that 38 people gave this a thumbs down. WTF?

[lizamaxy]

The 38 morons who clicked on dislike thought it meant "likes dis" or "dis i like".

[vixaciouslitigate]

So awkward when the number 2 post isn't as good as the first

[TheObeahMan]

@vixaciouslitigate I voted you up. Hopefully you will reach number 2 spot and be cursed by your own hubris.

[tristramshandy3]

@TheObeahMan this post made me laugh pretty hard out loud.

[MyLegend2007]

greetings from germany to all people enjoying this kind of stuff. classy

[thughands]

I feel good now!

[JMajor07]

I just fell in love with jazz allllllll over again.... thank God for Duke

[Pittsoman]

C'est aussi plaisant à écouter qu'a jouer ! Connaissez vous la version de Petrucciani qui est aussi hallucinante. En tous cas merci pour la mise en ligne avec un bon son.

[estinky]

I'll ride this train all the way to heaven. Thanks Duke! 

[BeefCaike]

OMG 38 people took the B train!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA

[BeefCaike]

OMG 38 people took the B train!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA

[stepsinred]

love how this song was written for the white folk who didn't know how to get to harlem

[constancelena]

this was recorded when? 1930s or 1940s? sorry--I really like this but I'm not familiar with Duke Ellington's career--my parents married in 1949 and they never played this music which doesn't mean much as their music tastes were limited. this is wonderful--he's such a fine pianist

[marinman39]

@constancelena Based on Duke's appearance, i would say this performance was sometime in the early to mid 1960's. I grew up with his stuff, my father played it all the time, and yet my ears weren't ready for it until I was in my twenties. Everything Duke did was for adults, actually. Isn't that great!

[mckessa17]

@constancelena The Duke was born in 1899, this would probably be early 60's.

[gony130]

what is the name of the bass?

[numbredheart]

@gony130 its called a Upright Bass



[Eva413]

Take us home, Duke.

[gobrewers7]

@stucatz1130 yes it is! Sonny Greer was with Duke for 50 years! Sam Woodyard was with Duke for 2 years; however, he left to do other things. But man could Sonny swing..

[stucatz1130]

is that Sonny Grier on the skins?

[doyouwantfries20]

Does is start is. 6/8 time then change back to 4/4??? Anyways i like this

[lune55076]

Man, when people tell me dub step and house is real music. I listen to this to proove that they dont know what real music is. Fucking computer nerds, listen to real music!

[agrijag12]

@lune55076 Yeah, it is real music. You go see if you can make anything that is half as good as the worst dubstep, house, or trance artist. I personally enjoy all types of music including orchestral, swing, dubstep, house, rock, and many others. I don't care if you enjoy one genre better than another, but if your planning on just making an ass out of yourself on youtube, don't.

[lune55076]

@agrijag12 I dont liturally mean that its "not music". What I mean is that being for instance a house producer/DJ at a profesional level requires near to NO talent at all compared to a profesional Jazz musician. I go to a music school with a lot of house/dub step enthusiasts, and they dont have enough disipline to practise. Thats the same as most house/dub step producers/DJs. And it sounds like SHIT... my oppinion

[snifflesuk]

@lune55076 I've got to disagree lune, as someone who enjoys both, and has friends who produce electronic music, and play jazz, and most have an appreciation for both. But then these same people also have an appreciation for science, and like discussing politics and religion from all angles. I think the real difference is, they are open minded.

[snifflesuk]

@lune55076 Oh, and here's something that will really repulse you:

Electroswing (;

[purjospearmint]

@lune55076 When I'm enjoying my jazz and see some elitist ass devaluing electronic music when all they've heard is the McDonalds side of it, I vomit all over everything and go cry in a corner thinking every type of art is awful and people are bitter and ignorant and there is no hope in anything.

[Beefforyou]

@purjospearmint This

[MovieMajic]

@lune55076 I listen to Jazz, Classical, Metal, Dubstep, House, Trance, Hip-Hop ect. It's all good music, now learn to accept it.

[Jahtendo]

@MovieMajic You sound like Me. You must be a genius.

[MrVelsan77]

today for first time I've heard this theme, oh is Duke the father of Jazz? I've heard somebody said that

[jorsal108]

Acariciando las teclas, bravo Duke !!

[boronne2]

take the a train was made by someone else going to a interview with duke and he took the a train. thats why its called take the a train.

[hunteruh]

37 people thought the dislike button was the download button...

[MrAldossaryM]

whoever dis-liked this song i sue u!!! this song is the best!!!

[MrAldossaryM]

i hate the present all u listen is garbage these days i wish i was with duke ellington if only he was still alive...

[Josh04731]

How many movements does this have.

[t6b6b]

I'm the 4001



[charlessaumarez84]

37 people went with First Capital Connect

[alexelouati]

the dislike bar is the size of the z train

[ClockworkRockStar]

@alexelouati What dislike bar? When it's that tiny & powerless, it's pretty non-existant XD

[hunteruh]

@alexelouati yes mate well funny inniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii­iiit

[alexelouati]

Love this song, so relaxing.Dukes music always helps me relaxed when im stressed or doing homework.

[lizinfrance1]

memories are made and refreshed thanks to the DUKE!

[ginawhyte]

Happy smiles...I remember. Can't get any better than that, grovin' with Duke.

[AeonProjectz]

doing a project on this guy first time hearing this kind of music, its catchy

[Loiy333]

@AeonProjectz This is the some of the most famous jazz, made by one of the most famous jazz musicians ever, how can you not ever heard this......

[eddyikaogunda]

tom,arse el trabajo de decir a esta joya de pieza de nuestro maerstro (duke),,,que a 36 incultos no les gusta!,,,,hahahahha,,,este mundo esta loco de remate!,,,,

[MrWhiteCoffie]

36 people couldnt hear that resolving note in their head

[Chickencast]

How can somebody dislike this? This music makes live 100 times better INSTANTLY :D

[delbroox]

i'm the 3901th

[themartyparty01]

@delbroox I think you mean 3901st :)

[delbroox]

@themartyparty01 yes, my mistake xD

[BubblesBubbles27]

Actually "Take The A Train" wrote Billy Strayhorn but after it arranged Duke and made a composition from it.

1939 when Duke first met Billy and decided to invite him "in his organization", duke gave him instruction - how to get with subway from NY station to Harlem (Billy lived in Pittsburgh and duke in Harlem) and the first point was - TAKE THE A TRAIN.

And when billy came to Duke in NY, he showed him his new piece - Take the A Train.

[MySpring75]

Thank you maestro......

[gcpropertymanagement]

What a lovely version of this classic. Just a wonderful and clean performance by a master in American music. A relief to hear. Duke Ellington ends with a question for all of us who listen. You could see the wheels turn in this video and it's up to us to go forward. Visual artists do this too. There will be an element in a painting which we don't understand. That brings about a dialogue between the observers. The artist has done his job. It's ours to take forward by ourselves.

[gcpropertymanagement]

What a lovely version of this classic. Just a wonderful and clean performance by a master in American music. A relief to hear.

[Chadiseinsteinjr]

35 people got hit by the a train when they weren't looking

[adeniji24]

@PianoLegend87, Lol. Since we both took the A train, we saw the 35 of them at the other side of the track taking the B train. Lol

[atufekc2]

35 dislikes?

[jawabadak]

this is why life is beautiful

[CroissantOrange]

Much better than the big band version which give me ringing ears.

[PianoLegend87]

35 people took the B train.

[desamania]

Very nice!!! I'm only 30 & I never heard of this guy, so I need to do my history.

[waersd3]

WOW... i cant believe that there are 35 people who are stupid enough to take the B-Z train.... -_- ITS THE A TRAIN DUMBASSES!

[adeniji24]

35 morons took the "B" train. They can't follow simple instructions.

[PianoLegend87]

@adeniji24 LOL I WROTE 35 PEOPLE TOOK THE B TRAIN WITHOUT SEEING YOUR COMMENT FIRST XD

[SyndromRed]

@adeniji24 No.They take the M train as they are moron or I as they are Idiots.

[seechazgo]

REALLY?....35 dislikes?...Hmm..gotta be youngsters who are used to all the "sampling" that goes into "music" today. Watch and learn children.......This my friends is TALENT!

[VeeEcks]

YOU DON'T IMPRESS ME WITH YOUR MUSICNESS, MUSICMOTH

[mothwentbad]

35 haters hate even harder than howiedanja.

[VeeEcks]

mothwentbad, why do you hate America?

[mothwentbad]

@VeeEcks - No matter what method you use to quantify it, there's nothing more American than a YouTube comment simultaneously about Justin Bieber and Duke Ellington. Why do YOU hate America?

[mothwentbad]

Kind of like an acoustic Justin Bieber with a bit of swing to it, only a lot older, black, and plays piano instead of singing. And uses unresolved flatted 9ths a lot more.

[howiedanja]

@mothwentbad your kind of like someone with a brain, but less informed, and trying to use a musical term to impress us. Make a video of punching yourself in the face, then I'll be impressed...twat

[jenlight]

@howiedanja Why do you hate America?

[custardapple777]

Sounds awesome in a big band or as a trio. Who's the bassist ?

[SubParWaffle]

i have to listen to 5 versions of this for a drumming assingment.

[CenterEntertainment]

I got here from Duke Nukem!!

[furgrayfreak]

my gpa recommended it but it pales in comparison to coltrane, maybe i have add but i hate the people who listen to old music like otis redding just to seem smart when it was way b4 their time------nd im bored but this music is good for boedom

[anjusomu]

Duke is not Duke he became King long back, music lovers will never forget The King

[massannnnn]

Take the "C", Please

[fiftieslover]

maybe its just my ignorant ear but i swear i can hear some ragtime in this wonderful piece.

[claitontesch]

wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[matveisbc]

I LUV HIS PASSION

[Anoush23]

And at 2.28 he quotes Parkers "Ornithology" which was also used by Ella during her famous "How high the moon" Solos :D yaaay ^^

[Anoush23]

"I'm beginning to see the light" is being "sampled" or quoted at around 1:37 :D What fun to listen to Duke!!!!!

[Easleytee]

Duke Ellington + Frank Lloyd Wright...the finest artists this nation has ever produced.

[JalapenoJr]

Duke... please... come back from the grave and resolve that last note... I haven't slept in months...

[howiedanja]

@JalapenoJr it just wouldn't be jazz if he did lol ;)

[moonlightdriver800]

Please come back to clean the today's music scenario!!!

[MartinRusin]

@JalapenoJr Then you should be also dead.

[1wvserenity]

GSA "Project Funk Jam"/ "All Blues"

[CopperheadViper]

How did the two biggest ass holes get the highest rated comment?

[blippetyblip]

@furgrayfreak don't be so mean. Weirdo. I think it sounds good, although it's not what i'd listen to usually.

[furgrayfreak]

oh my goodness the oldness of hus crud is killing mee! nothing about it is stimulating at all

[blippetyblip]

@furgrayfreak Why are you here? why are you watching this?

[therealshugjr]

Pretty sure this is my favorite Duke song.

[ratfink702]

Even as a three piece outfit, Duke has so much presence it feels like there are more musicians backing him. Must be those angels.

[Hoover5823]

High five to this treat...right on

[HighDefinit0in]

Yo 4 real that bass n paining player need more than just one finger to go up

[LEOPARDTWO]

*****.

[MrMKH2010]

32 dislikes. From ignorant morons who would not know what true music is if it hit them in their pointy little heads.

[Speaktrap]

@MrMKH2010 How can you be so angry after listening to such a positive song =)?

[keeptruchadrew]

slappin that bass like its his bitch

[Raven7176]

These men are in their "A" game...I'm starting to get jazz. They know their instruments so well they improvise.

See I'm experimenting with music. Trying to see how far back I can relate. Personal journey.

[MrMKH2010]

@Raven7176 Jazz is all about improv. None of the Jazz greats played thier music the same way every night. It was all improv.

[sebastski]

@Raven7176 right on

[Prettyboi63514]

Some Of The Music From Back In The Day Is The Best Music ..

[latrodectus23]

this guy knew how to creative sophiscated music without even making it.

[sSsSsSsSsSs434]

wasuppppppppp



[camalego]

32 dislikes? You should be listening rap or country music instead, GO AWAY...

[floyde91]

@camalego listening to rap or country music doesn't prevent one from liking duke ellington. I wish youtube users could stop being so prejudiced about other people who don't share their personal tastes.

[slusher545]

@floyde91 i dig. music is so diverse, with as many feelings floating around in it as there are in life itself. some genres i don't like, but i could never just be limited to one.

[Easleytee]

@floyde91

Your ignorance is showing.

The unmitigated gall to claim that RAP is music. You should be flogged in a public square and quarantined from the rest of civil society.

[albertelliswearengen]

@Easleytee Oh, the irony.

[codyhansonbass]

@Easleytee You ignorant view of rap music is disturbing. Rap is music. What you think is rap is not.

[TheBlakeWest]

@floyde91 Welcome to the internet.

[TheBlakeWest]

Duke - Simply the best. An icon to say the least.

[sourTRON]

@camalego Truly an ignorant thing say. It was Hip Hop and Country that brought me here.

I sorry you feel this way no less.

[sourTRON]

*to 

[ZombieJesus123]

It's a jazz power trio, is it me, or is that just plain awesome?

[AWeberF222]

Listening to this man play ANYTHING makes me absolutely cry. The talent. They just don't make masters like this anymore.

[daveysan]

Damn that's good.

[GoodHumorMan114]

OK Let's take the A train with Duke

[cruzjay188]

yea get in the back of the bus

[DaintyDutchess]

when was this written?

[dcbandnerd]

@DaintyDutchess 1939 by Billy Strayhorn.

[mscarolannstaples]

Simply the very best of the best.... Thank you Mr. Ellington for such fabulous music that have lasted the ages... R.I.P.

[itcanbecheezcaketime]

GET IN THE BACK OF THE BUS

[AStudCalledKyle]

Who is the drummer for Duke? Was it Dave Black?

[tinyleviathan]

shame he didn't write his most famous song

[fiftieslover]

@tinyleviathan he wrote over 1000 in return

[SLAIEH]

Une interprétation plus soft ........merveilleux !

[adeniji24]

No, its now 30 people that missed the "A" train

[MyPar1]

sound is too low

[moursundjames]

As a joke, i changed my name on FB to Duke Ellington and can't change it back. But this has made me listen to more of his music. I already like piano jazz.... and this is top of its class. Duke can't be beat. I want him to be my grandfather. and I'm white.... i wouldn't care. :)

[chronosynclastic8]

This gentleman has more cool in one of his hair follicles than almost anybody on this planet, so negative comments must be taken with a grain of salt, (or a million.) Groove on, Duke.

[MrValefra]

Grandissimo pezzo :D

[xavioronassis]

Canadiens say eh all the time eh? That guy is full of shit. Why tarnish the great arranger Duke Ellington with stupid canuck shit eh?

[YamaKazoo]

He's like hendrix a his last gig !

[YamaKazoo]

Skillage farmin mansion house !!

[Ajapam34]

@superduperdewd I've spent my entire life in Canada. We rarely say "eh." At least where I am

[prjctcivilian]

@Ajapam34 i like to use eh... its more complete than ending your question with a high voice lol, sort of like no? or isnt is it?

[Easleytee]

Ellington...the name itself intones Class and Sophistication.

[TheKoolkanadian]

FTR, Canadian rarely say 'Eh', but for when we think of how MOSTLY AMERICANS have us pegged as saying 'eh', eh?

[twistaking]

@TheKoolkanadian nice



[miziluvmusic]

just sit back and grin

[ballachick100]

I love this song it one of my best song ps

[SuperDukish]

The Maestro at the piano - please play sir DUKE

[rsrhcp]

ahhh! that last note!

[thegoldenspike]

Today in NYC, I took the 8 train

[eikogo]

its cool that ellington became more of a bop player in his later years