Duke Ellington Take the A Train-in Color

[kluckkluckma]

Does anyone know who that soloist is? I like his style a lot.

[LondonDarkness]

I love listening to this song while riding around Liberty City in GTA 4 .

[MsMarc1234]

Im more into the F train - KNOW WHAT IM SAYING?!

[thecubanism]

Music's glory days.

[sistalinda]

Sweeter than sweet.

[CenterEntertainment]

0:10 Duke Ellington: "LOL WE'RE ON TV!!! :D"

[koyunbaba73]

Tight man, those horns are tight!

[pugspugs123456]

One of the most fun songs i have ever played with a band.

[sartoriusrock]

not meaning to sound like the film aesthete, but this gives new life to the performance

[mkworkman]

2:45 video: "Take the 'A' Train" is a 1939 jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra. "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974).

[LilJazzer1]

I think what Kat151 is trying to day is "give some credit to the poor old writer!". As much as I love Duke, give the guy some credit!

[pollywallyfrogg]

this was A LOT of help this song.

I have a trumpet solo and they showed so YAY! :)

it sounds fun to play! super excited now!

[cokadoodledoobetchez]

This is like...amazingly funn to play in my jazz band class



[badboy7576]

4 people took the B train

[KISSANIMALIZE]

double bass drum...wait what

[lovosazul]

Top stuff! * * * * * =D

[saxismyaxe]

What 4 numbnuts voted this down?

[lilmsbumblebee]

I love u duke

[Hoffletrof456]

That trumpet solo is fucking famous.

[ciolamorta]

When i listen to this i feel the need of light a cigarette. Swing has strange effects on me but you know... i can't stop listening to it.

[79pretzel]

What year was this? I'm reading "The World of Duke Ellington" and was curious as to the soloist's name as well. Thanks

[dsiman4]

im doing a project in school of duke ellington is mad fun and i love his songs no offence i started liking duke ellington songs now

[ErladrinPalidin]

4 people took the "b" train.

[lambsev]

I think I could agree that Ellington is at the top of the heap of Jazz composer/arrangers.

[bingoxx123]

@blonderbonser give credit where credit is due...i feel you kat151

[Streamline09]

Younger folks should see this band in color, so they won't keep thinking that important history was only in black & white. It might help them relate to it better. This looks to have been around 1959 0r '60.

[afrosheen6]

Whenever I hear any of The Dukes music, a classy, high brow, black tie affair always comes to mind. Pure elegance, pure class...

[superhi1996]

Duke elington is black

[Traintanic]

@superhi1996

You Didn't know that

WOW

[Traintanic]

@superhi1996

WOW that's all I can say WOW

[superhi1996]

@Traintanic in this vid he look white

[nickppp100]

@superhi1996 no shit

[caroline1697]

@anthonyhollis1 I wish I could have been around to see this when it happened! You are a very lucky person! Music was so great back then.

[monka1236]

this is a real pice of music!

when I asked my friend why she's listening to todays 'music' and what she likes about it she said " well...it's popular!" it's really sad that most of young people listen to such a shit like rihanna and stuff just because it's 'popular'.

[Signal337]

The "A" Train (8th Avenue Express) is still running express in Brooklyn during normal hours. It runs 8th Avenue express all day up to 10:30 pm weeknights and weekends.

[Kat151]

grrrr. This was written by Billy Strayhorn, not Ellington.

[blonderbonser]

@Kat151

Don´t care about it´s great music!!!!

[silowhore]

@Kat151 The title says Duke Ellington Take the A Train-in Color because that's who's performing it, nobody mentioned anything about who wrote the song, why would they? songs aren't generally listed by writer, they're listed by the performer. for instance, on a cd/lp you would only find the writer of a song in the liner notes inside the cover, so settle down mr fanboy we all know who wrote it

[illbebad]

@silowhore exactly, thanks!

[TheExplodingcake]

@Kat151 It was a collaboration between the two 

[woodchip233roblox]

@Kat151 it was made b Ellington

[ACLTony]

Always my favorite Ellington song. Such a talented group. Ellington and some of his close associates went through some tough life struggles over the years, yet they were able to produce music like this. So glad that clips like these and his music have been preserved for later generations to appreciate.

[PznRen]

Greeat!



[thatnicperson]

FYI take the a train was composed by Billy Strayhorn, not duke ellington

[misslaboy]

Duke was an amazing man...

[bemaniac2]

He is more light-skinned than I thought! THis guy is a legend.

[Harrisonmon]

now when they say "in color"....

hehehe

[qwertyboyo]

@Harrisonmon AHAHAHA That slaps me on the knee!

[Blackmoonclan2]

im playing this in a band :D i cant wait

[bottmint]

@Blackmoonclan2 i played this in a marching band a few years back. i was a trumpet at the time. i played it along with in the mood and i THINK caravan. these three have stuck with me. they were SOO much fun to play. enjoy! :D

[Frisbieinstein]

Duke looks kind of like Ronald Reagan.

[MattiusCN]

Wow - Ellington is a lot paler than I had thought. The joys of glorious technicolour!

[TheMegaMrKj]

haha...cheesy grin at the beginning... he's such a great composer!

[Birthangel1]

on solo trumpet is Ray Nance

[placesigopeopleimeet]

I love how it picks up at te end I've just finished learning how to play this and will hopefully play in an upcomming concert!

[mamamuchii]

gta 4 ;:,:

[JDJNA813]

what is the name of the trumpet soloist

[dublincatfish]

the soloist looks like carlton banks

[Kaz290]

the video is slightly out of sink with the music, and it drives me nuts

[artgirl180]

i feel your pain. i hate that too.

[ScipioC]

@artgirl180 Yeah, it's even worse when you look at their feet stomping the beat, hahaha. But I love how even professional jazz bands do that!

[acfinney]

Impact on Duke's legacy isn't inportant. Getting under your skin is. I am a musician, and you give off a vibe as a turntable man. You have showed a lack of self esteem, by letting a troll get intimidate you. Mature musically, then I might lower myself to respond. However, I would start out simple. Try Little Richard, and work your way up to George Shearing. Try learning to play something besides a Garrard. Fool.

[cha5]

'Yawn'

[cha5]

Says the man whos sole favorite video is on the virtues of the 1972 Magnavox console, now why don't you post a video of your musical talents already?

[SiSmA85]

che spettacolo!

[kado51393]

i wont lie. he looks creepy always smiling but his music is orgasmic

[tjd886]

i love ellington's music

[Signal337]

For all you "A" train Riders, The "A" Train runs express in Manhattan during normal Hours of Operation. For you Brooklyn "A" Train riders, The "A" Train runs express during normal hours Monday thru Friday including Weekends. All "A" Trains runs local in Brooklyn on holidays. "Keep Smiling".

[BreathingCheese]

I liked it better when it was only him playing the piano with the bass and drums. It was much more relaxing. But he's a genius, anyway!

[cloudfan101]

is this cootie williams? he was doing great i wonder why he didn't go for the big ending

[SSJBartSimpson]

I think it was really cool at the end how while everyone was going up with the ending, he went down to resolve.

[iamsublime]

who is the trumpet player?

[bassswings]

CLARK TERRY

[yoganandarita]

fine as wine

[TheNadjaa]

hey berliner from the U2 towards ruhleben.....its the "ray charles" cypriot:p i knew this song it's really great .. :p u'll probably never read this comment but aaaanywaayy just in case:p thanx and nice talking to u. :)

[kurohimei]

Truly amazing. Duke Ellington was a great musician...

[TheRedlightRemixes]

Decent musician but amazing band leader / composer

[acfinney]

@kurohimei Not a great player. Grreat writer though.

[msailors]

hahaha! Get a clue buddy.

[acfinney]

Name me a song in which he proves to play great jazz piano...... I am waiting. He was popular because of his writing and arranging ability, just like Glenn Miller. Neither were great players. Maybe you just dont know music?

[cha5]

@acfinney The 1940 Fargo concert and his rendition of Mood Indigo

and Warm Valley which was sublime.

[acfinney]

You clowns probably think that Bill Hailey was a good musician. Ellington was a sucky piano player. Case closed.

[cha5]

@acfinney And you probably think Dizzy was a lousy trumpet player because he puffed his cheeks when playing, I'm more into Al Haig than Hailey thanks.

[cha5]

If you want other examples there's 'Black Brown and Beige' and Duke's piano solos of 'Dancers in Love' and 'Perfume Suite'.

[cha5]

@cha5 Actually scratch 'Black Brown and Beige' which is a masterpiece in its own right but not really a solo, the Ellington-Strayhorn piano duets on Classics 1217 are a far better sample of what this "sucky piano player" could do, and a unique example of Duke and Strayhorn on the keys.

[acfinney]

Be honest, if you heard a record and didn't know that it was Ellington, you would be unamused. I was a huge Ellington fan, but I know piano well enough to be objective. So, your examples mean nothing.

[cha5]

@acfinney Duke's piano playing is signature,

and you asked for examples of Duke's solo piano playing which I've given you,

players who were influenced by Duke's piano playing include Monk

and Herbie Hancock and quite a few others most of whom would look on you like you were crazy if you called Duke a "sucky piano player". Now why don't you give me something besides saying "Duke was a lousy piano player and that's it?"

[cha5]

@cha5 Now let's drop this, you're not going to convert me on Duke's piano playing.

[acfinney]

You can't convert a spoon-fed fan. Try listening to Bud Powell, Dave Brudeck, Andre Previn. They didn't have to feature the band. These guys could stand alone.

[cha5]

@acfinney

I've listened to all of them, Bud doesn't need a spokesman, Brubeck's best playing was with his quartet,

and Previn is too programmed into Broadway for my taste.

Just about any Jazz survey out there will list Duke as one of the ten greatest Jazz musicians of all time and your harping isn't going to change that.

[acfinney]

That is your take. My idea of best jazz piano doesn't include Ellington. Your harping and defending are fruitless. It is like arguing about Pepsi or Coke. You just defend him because you like him. Not very openminded.

[cha5]

@acfinney And in case you've forgotten one of Hines best records was 'Earl Hines Plays Duke Ellington Vol 1-2' LOL, but seriously Hines was memorable and was an effective sideman plus he did some great solo work, now wheither that makes him Duke's equal is another question altogether. I'm defending Duke because calling him a bottom rung player is about as silly as comparing Duke to Bill Haley or the idea that your opinion on Duke is somehow going to have any impact on his legacy.

[cha5]

@acfinney You're right, I'm not very

openminded about a troll who can't do anything but complain, Here's an idea! why don't you send a video response of your playing the piano right here, mr piano expert; and show every Ellington fan in the world how it should actually be done and see what kind of a response you get?

[Hanz780]

@acfinney Ellington doesn't necessarily sound special because he was the first! He has influenced everybody to such a great extent that they all use traits of his playing so that it doesn't sound special because its everywhere.

[acfinney]

That is my point. He wasn't the first. Have you forgotten about Gershwin, Tatem, Fats Waller, and Earl Hines? Ellington's piano work was bottom shelf compared to these guys, and you know it.

[cha5]

@acfinney Ellington's piano playing was never "bottom stuff" and as a conductor his music legacy was certainly the equal of Gershwin's (who wasn't even a Jazz musician by the way) plus I thought we were discussing solo piano playing (of which Duke could run circles around Gershwin any day of the week, if that's your sole criteria) Fats did some great and memorable tunes but I never saw anything of his that could equal 'Black Brown & Beige, Tatem is another matter esp with his Pablo Solo rec.

[Hanz780]

Gershwin shouldn't be in that sentence of course he was better, I wouldn't even put him in the same genre as those guys, but I still put the Duke over Fats and Earl Hines

[51StPierre]

Fabulous, thanks one of my favourite tunes, love the sax, always get my friend who plays sax to play this :o)

[dzedakuzohl]

some times I wonder.... what the f**I/] stands the 2nd kick ...... :D

[pianistmaster1]

Finally a big band version!!

just love it!!

[dopekid96]

yeah lets go sax!!!!

[lovosazul]

"wow', this sounds awesome with an orchestra!

[RiversideIndian]

Duke Ellington is truly the greatest American composer.

[ABrandsma]

I agree with this opinion, but wish more people should realise that.

[RiversideIndian]

yeah

[esquog842]

I gotta say yeah but Charles Mingus is a close second

[flanhelsinki]

@RiversideIndian

Agreed...with one correction...Duke Ellington with Billy Strayhorn (who wrote this piece) are the greatest American composers...along with Holland-Dozier-Holland...

[RiversideIndian]

@flanhelsinki Sorry, I forgot that at the time

[Tserisa]

@RiversideIndian Except he didn't compose THIS. ;) It was Strayhorn.

[RiversideIndian]

@Tserisa Yeah, I'm getting alot of comments about it, I realized it after I posted this, but STILL

[gretschmesaboogie]

@RiversideIndian I believe it was Billy Strayhorn that wrote this tune -- not that I'm disagreeing with you :)

[RiversideIndian]

@gretschmesaboogie OMG I know, guys LOL

[liquidfreak]

@RiversideIndian without a doubt

[Jazzman303]

@RiversideIndian Or was Billy Strayhorn? Duke didn't write this...

And What about George Gershwin?

[RiversideIndian]

This song epitomizes jazz and its uplifting message of freedom, individual expression, and true happiness

[rexal96]

all ur comments SUCK.

I'll tell u where the talent's gone. TO ME!!!!!!!!!

im amazing u all are horndogs

[dreamingdrumlinegirl]

We playin this song in our marching band show this year

[MrFerbrezeman]

LOVING THE SOLO!!!!

[Eletricguitargod11]

My schools jazz band is almost as good, im first sax ^_^

[brisco42]

By far one of the best pieces of music ever composed.

[EwiekeuKlavier]

I need to get my jazz band teacher to get the chart for this!

[5023849465]

A Man and his Musicians - no electronics, no strobe lights - just real talent.

[WhiteLightnin3]

thats the way it should be. Where has the talent gone?

[tsaxist]

Disney and similar organizations killed it by appealing to a younger generation that I hate to be a part of.

[5023849465]

THE DUKE WAS THE REAL DEAL!

[louie950]

Ahh, good music ^^

[wavecrashes]

JAZZ MUSIC

THE FOUNDATION

[xalexander]

JAZZTASTIC ^_^

[13jarmid]

Excellent !!! Where Did All The JAZZ GONE

[LordPanties]

great song

[IlOvEyOuMeHdI]

LoL i remember JNR in GTA IV

[vinylman4533]

Is this released on a dvd?

[1960jack]

The DUKE!

[edcerc]

the duke looks like a white guy here

[Jojojoman]

haha! :D

[BrunoJazzmanLeicht]

Ray Nance is soooo amazing here: Re-composed his own solo, and then made a bow. Great!

[Edenhyde246]

Excellent.

[blonderbonser]

This song is jamm´n jazz history!!! Duke rules forever!!!

[Demyxkh2]

Just listen to those saxes. what a great song

[Finallybenunderstood]

Makes me remember my last train ride. What a wonderful time it was... happy birthday, Mr.Duke, wherever you're playing, nowadays, lucky them!!

[2commonandcoarse]

Happy birthday Duke. You live on in your song!! I'm on Sugar Hill, just from listening to this fine piece

[Ssssstones]

And happy 110th birthday to THE Duke (29-4-1899/ 24-5-1974) !!!!!!

[Thiskittenneveralone]

cool cool cats, thanks, meow, Thierry!!

wow 1899 when the Duke was born??

...must've been a hundred years ago~

[Izzielotzafunnies]

great share!! I love to listen to those wonderful horns a hummin'

[lory201]

LooooooooooooooooL!!!!!

[Lupi1234]

wtf lol?

[bubba9166]

Moron

[cha5]

Does anyone know what year this is?

[OscarPetersonFan]

Billy Strayhorn composed this song in 1941, and think this is from the late forties or fifties

[bubba9166]

Looks like the Duke was in his 60s so it must have been late 50s or early 60s - my guess.

[OscarPetersonFan]

I did not realize about that. I trust in you.

[Barbabietola00]

I love this song

[OscarPetersonFan]

Me too. It's my fav

[MissDaySevenThousand]

Probably my all time favorite song to come out of the Harlem Renaissance. Simply fabulous. ^___^

[babygirlreverse]

nice