What does it mean to take the A train?

In 1939, pianist Billy Strayhorn wrote a song that would soon become the national anthem of the New York City subway transit system. The title of the song refers to the A line of New York’s subway train service. …

Is Take the A Train Ragtime?

Duke Ellington’s signature composition was “Take the A Train,” written by his frequent collaborator Billy Strayhorn. A seeming natural-born talent, Ellington composed his first ragtime number at age 14. …

What is the structure of Take the A train?

“Take The ‘A’ Train” is written in the standard AABA 32-bar song form, which was typical of the Swing Era. If you’re just starting to learn it, begin by analyzing the chord progression. It starts with the tonic (CMaj7) chord, and then moves to D7b5.

Is Take the A Train improvised?

Duke Ellington’s signature song, “Take the A Train” was written by Billy Strayhorn. It was quite difficult for me to assign a form to this piece and identify various sections, because one of the main elements of Jazz is improvisation.

Who made Take the A train?

Duke Ellington
Billy Strayhorn
Take The “A” Train/Composers
The man who made “Take the ‘A’ Train” his signature song was none other than the musical giant Edward Kennedy Ellington, better known as Duke Ellington. Ellington (1899-1974) was born in Washington, D.C., and by the time he was 15, he was composing.

Who performed Take the A train?

the Duke Ellington Orchestra
“Take the A Train,” the signature tune of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, was recorded on this day in 1941. The song marked the beginning of a decades-long partnership between Ellington and a shy young songwriter named Billy Strayhorn.

What is the meter of Take the A train?

– Take the A Train is in quadruple meter.

Who was the original composer of take the train?

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ” Take the ‘A’ Train ” is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra. Problems playing this file? See media help.

When did Ellington write take the’a’train?

“Take the ‘A’ Train” was composed in 1939, after Ellington offered Strayhorn a job in his organization and gave him money to travel from Pittsburgh to New York City. Ellington wrote directions for Strayhorn to get to his house by subway, directions that began, “Take the A Train”.

Where does take the a train come from?

Delta Rhythm Boys perform “Take the ‘A’ Train” (1941). The title refers to the then-new A subway service that runs through New York City, going at that time from eastern Brooklyn, on the Fulton Street Line opened in 1936, up into Harlem and northern Manhattan, using the Eighth Avenue Line in Manhattan opened in 1932.

When did Anita O’Day sing take the a train?

Published on Feb 12, 2007. Here is the coolest, swinging chick of them all, the legendary jazz singer Anita O’Day singing “Take The ‘A’ Train” from 1958. The slide show presents the incredible original album cover artwork from her superb Verve Records albums. Enjoy!