Take the “A” train

By Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn

Presentation by: Leah Hill

TAKE THE A TRAIN

R

ecorded in 1941, this jazz song’s lyrics were re written by Joya Sherrill, after

the song was released for radio.

O

pening song of Duke Ellington’s set.

L

yrics discuss the new A train which had recently opened as an express

through Harlem to Manhattan.

Duke Ellington

DUKE ELLINGTON

Duke Ellington was born on April 19, 1899 to two musically

talented parents. Mr. Ellington wrote his first song when he was

fifteen it was called “Soda Fountain Rag” and it was inspired by his

first job as a soda jerk. At the young age of 17 he began to play

and compose professionally. On May 24, 1974 Duke Ellington

died from pneumonia and lung cancer.

TAKE THE A TRAIN D

uke Ellington with his jazz orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY

O

scar Peterson playing the piano with drum beat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7WCzeylk08

E

lla Fitzgerald singing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQnNnPLC_b4

JAZZ AND HISTORY

B

orn in the US, Jazz is a combination of almost all other genres. • It originates back to the African American culture and clamed fame in New

Orleans, LA.

I

nfluences include: opera, military marching bands, folk music, blues,

church, ragtime, and African drumming.

J

azz subtypes include Early jazz, swing jazz, jazz fusion as well as others.

JAZZ

I

nstruments include piano, drums, brass, woodwind, and string

N

otable artist• Louie Armstrong • Dizzy Gillespie • Ray Charles • Billie Holiday

INFLUENCES ON JAZZ

W

WII brought jazz to a personal level when artist used their past as

influences to create a personal story.

J

azz music was improvised many times and in small intimate groups of 5-

7

I

nfluences come from their poor backgrounds, personal loss, excitement,

or family. Every performance was unique.

RESOURCES

h

ttp://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/history_of_jazz.htm

h

ttp://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/music/musichistory/jazzbirth

place.html

h

ttp://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/1917beyond/ess

h

ttp://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=27763

h

ttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100731586

h

ttp://www.biography.com/people/duke-ellington-9286338