Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Take the "A" Train

In the early 1960s five jazz films were commissioned by a corporate sponsor -- one of which featured the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

The Ellington program opened with "Take the 'A' Train," with Ray Nance playing his classic solo.

Personnel:
Ray Nance, Shorty Baker, Cat Anderson, Bill Berry, Ed Mullens (t), Lawrence Brown, Leon Cox, Chuck Connors (tb), Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges (as), Paul Gonsalves (ts), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Harry Carney (bars), Duke Ellington (p), Aaron Bell (b), Sam Woodyard (d). NYC, Jan 9, 1962.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• jazz
• duke
• ellington
• cat
• anderson
• harry
• carney
• johnny
• hodges
• paul
• gonsalves
• take
• the
• train

[custardapple777]

Too short ! This is my favorite version of Take The A Train followed by the Clifford Brown/ Max Roach/ Harold Land one.

How did you get this awesome footage ?

[kenjames64]

@custardapple777 I've had a boot DVD of this gig for years. Bought it at a garage sale. I still find the stereo sound and video quality amazing for the time (1962). These uploads don't do the actual "tape" justice. It's just too cool to see the Duke playing these classic compositions with such a seasoned band.

[robertgonzo1978]

I'm a motorman on the A train. With all the crime on that line, he should have made a song about a horse pulled carrage.

[kenjames64]

@robertgonzo1978 Maybe crime wasn't as pervasive on the A train in 1939, when the song was composed by Billy Strayhorn. What is it like to be a motorman? I've got this romantic idea of what it would be like to run a train ... I'm really curious.

[ATangProductions]

...Duke has an odd face when he plays..kinda turns me on

[kenjames64]

@ATangProductions Why are the linked comments always so inappropriate and weird -- like yours? Where the fuck are these videos being reposted?

[MrMaymac]

Simply spectacular, Duke Ellington at the piano, is wonderful with a spectacular orchestra aligned and with a spectacular pace, it is also wonderful the muted trumpet, there is nothing more to say how great it is!

Greetings from Mexico.

~~Miguel Ángel~~

[kenjames64]

@tedheath58 This is YouTube, not your home theater with 1080p and 3d. You're welcome to post the high-def versions of this 50-year-old performance.

[BoudiccaBlanc]

@robertgonzo1978

Times change. :((

[motreby]

This band can play perfect even in thier sleep...Amaaazing...!!!

[kaylamorful]

Hi, amazing video, do you know if this dvd is still available or the title of the performances, pretty please?

[jasjemine]

I absolutely LOVE Duke Ellington, and even though my friends find this weird (I'm 12), I just keep on listening to it. <3

[Uniformcid]

i love playing this song

[custardapple777]

@kenjames64 Cool story ! Dunno why Ray Nance isn't more famous

[mkehandgrenades]

@ATangProductions i think its just how this music makes you feel. Like you cant stop smiling cuz you did too much blow and you got that swing.

[mkehandgrenades]

is it just me or did duke come down with a case of vitiligo or whatever michael jackson said he had.