Duke Ellington - Take The A Train (1964)

Lots of chat from Duke and also rare shot of Billy Streyhorn. This version of 'A-Train' features Ernie Shepard (aka. Sheppard) on vocals and bass.

[@JRMuse]

That's my grandfather on bass! God bless the Shepard clan, we're small but still around. My grandfather's son is here on KZbin as Ernest "Big Ern" Shepard. God has put his life back together.

[@CamiloSoto]

Nahh!!!... Wow that's amazing bro!! If that's true, you must be very proud :D

[@JRMuse]

Camilo Soto Yes, I am. I saw his influence on my mother (his daughter) who was a great pianist until she died. My grandmother, his wife, was a pianist, too. I also see his influence on me as a pianist and my youngest son, too.

[@UrsulaCarrie]

Your Grandfather's piece was AWEsome in this video! That's that part that made me go "Woo-Hoo!" SO much JOY!

[@gianluigicoretti4772]

R.I:P.

[@JRMuse]

Thank you and God bless.

[@worseto1]

This music is so much better than anything we have today God bless the duke he probably has the best band in heaven right now

[@IFUCKINGLOVEYOUTOO]

This is by far my favorite Duke song. He was such a creative and talented man. RIP Mr. Ellington

[@genesbeans]

Billie Strayhorn wrote this song.

[@kurtarmbruster]

Wow, what a treat to hear Ernie Shepard, one of Duke's finest bassists! He really sparked that sixties band--great moment!

[@1mespud]

That was the "great" ERNIE SHEPARD on bass and vocals!! This is part proof that GOD wanted us all to be happy.

[@barbarellagb]

love the elegance of Duke Ellington. He was my dad's favorite band and the reason I got to take piano lessons! But I've never seen this vid with a shot of composer Billy Strayhorn! Thanks for the post.

[@mikesloothaak679]

Love the class of Ellington. Strayhorn was openly gay, but Ellington had no problem proudly introducing him as a companion back in 1964, years before Stonewall.

[@johnr8820]

One of my final class projects in the 4th grade was on Duke Ellington. I didn’t know anything about jazz music back then but just reading about him I came to understand how important and influential this man was/is; particularly in American music and culture. Now I love jazz music and everything Duke did. Solitude is one of the greatest songs ever written. What a man.

[@plockso7012]

my grandfather was in world war 2 he had dementia he was french he was captured 7 months with his companions he used to sing this song a lot i played the piano and he sang and always after each song he said he dedicated it to alesso belmonth and frank that They were his companions he always told me that for his funeral he wanted to take the a train and he played a synth of him singing until the end, he heard the same thing about who he was dedicating it to and one of his friends belmonth was so moved that he decided to put it recording at his funeral was 1 year ago it was a very tender act that rest is peace

[@U2QuoZepplin]

Can anyone blame you for loving any man who creates music like this ?!!

[@zthetha]

BEAUTIFUL! The single most difficult thing for us Brits to get is 'swing'. While we have produced some pretty good musicians in the jazz era I can't think of one who swings like an American. It seems that kind of natural bounce is something you have to be born with - or at least born into. Nor is it a 'delay' - playing just after the beat - all the great jazz musicians play right on the beat but somehow manage to sound laid back. It's a language I suppose - or at least an accent - and that's probably why a Yank can never convincingly sound like a Brit.

[@demetriosthompson6898]

...they used to play music, between our class change. I felt too Black and Cool in that High School.💯!

[@henrydeane6815]

Beautiful!!! I love that!!! What a happy sound!!! Music, music, music!!! Ernie Shepard!!! and Duke Ellington!!! Oh yeah!!!

[@edwinelliott4233]

I miss the wonderful music of the 1930s and 40s, The Duke was one of the best!!

[@fresnodick3717]

Still thrilled that I got to see the Duke and a number of other jazz greats at Monterey in 1961.

[@hudson2441]

Ellington is exactly what you picture a true gentleman to be like. That's what they called him "The Duke".

[@frankreedy6437]

What a beautiful memory, and the Duke introducing Strayhorn? Classic! What gentlemen. What musicians!

[@MrShobar]

The Congressman from Harlem (referred to) was Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

[@xquavius]

I have to listen to this as my homework and I actually like it lol it's pretty good music, I understand why people liked it, for my test I have to listen to: Glenn Miller-"In The Mood" & "Chattanooga Choo Choo" Benny Goodman-"Sing Sing Sing" Duke Ellington-"The Mooche" & "Take the A Train" I love it and wish me luck on my listening test.

[@booker249]

I love Jazz music... This song is a classic.

[@demetriosthompson6898]

I went to the school named after him, in DC...Duke Ellington School of the Arts..👌

[@03Venture]

Duke & his Band are the best ever!!

[@quita1569]

When I was in middle school, I played in the Jazz Ensemble with Mr. Dean the conductor. One of the pieces that I can remember playing was the Duke Ellington work "Take the A Train." I played clarinet at the time. I still love music and I love playing an instrument even more.

[@mariaprez3501]

Magnificent song!!! Matilda Laus Prez played it last Tuesday at the Yardbird Suite in Edmonton, Alberta. Love Take the A train, love Duke Ellington!

[@flossdaily9]

wow, my new favorite version

[@jermainemiller9957]

The man himself the genius!!!! !!!!-Sir Duke Ellington. And his top class band!!!!

[@Sniffing_Rats]

This is my last period school bell. Right after the ending of my school day is this song :)

[@erichandley5176]

These guys were clean, well dressed, everything tailored

[@walthervanlieshout4635]

Just GREAT!

[@valvetrom]

Thanks, he was a great trumpeter and host

[@reginaldfields3424]

Yes, that big Ernie is something special, my mother's father. It's still in the genes, greatness!

[@TheJJ6]

If anyone has ever watched the musical "In the Heights" which is a great musical full of Latin and Hispanic music with emotion throughout. It also has a great story. In the first song coincidently called "In the Heights" they reference this song and even have tenor sax play a part that has the exact same feeling give as the actual song. Beautiful song. Beautiful musical.

[@Luqita21]

My dad and me glad you this video!

[@garys8990]

The Duke was one of the greats. Been a fan since 67 when I started playing his music on the Hammond Organ. Thanks for posting.

[@hamiltonburger4574]

Jazz truly is colorblind. Wonderful!!!

[@mrmaxxx94]

This man was my untroduction to jazz and also music in general.props to duke ellungtin and billy strayhorn this is incredible history making.respect

[@budway1942]

Live4d in NY in the summer of 69 ......took the A train..a few tims..another story.

[@micaofboca]

What a nice sentiment. One can see how much you dig Duke's music through your respect and gracious comment. He'd love you madly.

[@ModestVejar]

This version is amazing...

[@billythekid2050]

2022, and we forget the great's that got us here.

[@SuperBC10]

First time I saw this was about 18 years ago when Mick Hucknall from Simply Red introduced a special TV show on The Duke in the UK. Mick is a massive Ellington fan and this version of A-Train is an absolute classic.

[@patrickkelley5333]

Best version of this song I’ve ever heard!

[@Coremetima]

haha look at Duke getting his jive on at the end of Ernie's solo. Gotta love him

[@rogerdavis5447]

Very cool!..... you are part of the family that made American music great!

[@mananaadamia1657]

I like this music

[@xx2024Vote]

First vinyl of jazz that I've bought.

[@waltergray7722]

Brilliant !! Thank you for sharing.

[@purkasz]

Went to see the Duke and his family in May recently. They are all buried under a beautiful tree at the confluence of two stately arboreal roads in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York. Also nearby, Illinois Jacquet, Max Roach, Miles Davis and my dear friend of many years, Jackie McLean. Go by and say hello if you're in the neighborhood. It's quite peaceful. You can still feel the music.

[@dominicanbeauty]

I'm reading Billy Strayhorn's biography "Lush Life" for my tap class. He was an incredible arranger and could have been a star all on his own. Unfortunately I dont think he got as much attention because he was always a quiet man who gave his life's work to Duke Ellington's band. I wish I could hear more of his independent work.

[@demetriosthompson6898]

I have always loved the piano beginning. When you of it..that takes skill

[@davidecongiu6173]

Wonderful! Thank you for posting

[@fannieharris]

I love this piece.

[@ellenmccann657]

Mus 300- ellen 1) Duke Ellington- piano Composed by billy Strayhorn Ray Nance- Trumpet 2) Swing 3)AABA form 4) I chose this to be in my playlist because i loved the story behind the writing of it and how it was written so quickly on the route to see someone.

[@ernestshepard7351]

That's my grand grandfather

[@empereurjustinien2082]

Ernest Shepard do you have any other videos of him?

[@tomburns5231]

He's grand all right!

[@RadicalnessTV]

nika sghut up!

[@impala5108]

thats amazing

[@kaleaa69]

@@RadicalnessTV you disrespectful ass! You white asf, say it again.

[@ChrisBoden-y1o]

Were playing this for high school jazz band

[@austinhernandez2716]

This is one of my favorites. It sounds exactly as the name says. It sounds like you're in an urban city developing during the times the song was written. I live music that expresses things like that.

[@Djprudex]

I love how the song feels like it's that time

[@denominator208]

That introduction of Strayhorn was beautiful to watch.

[@josephcarpenter6921]

Good for You Guys Billy &The Duke &The Bass Man

[@ramocon]

Wow. Ernie Shepard on bass . Just amazing

[@Go.jir4]

I must have viewed this a hundred times today 0_0

[@Carter8442]

People don't take THE A train! They take A train! Well folks, I know I'm NOT a comedian! I guess you gather that! Great piece Duke, always love this, thanks!

[@rsbobeenie]

Honey you take THE A train. It's a line that goes from Queens through Brooklyn and ends in Harlem. Took it everyday for years.

[@nanou581]

My most enormous regret is not to have seen the Duke inParis when I as a strident during thé beginnings it the sixties!

[@chipnorthup6397]

Made my morning! Thank you! Ernie Shepard is a gem!

[@alfredoelgue4091]

I listening this fantastic music with my father.

[@gianluigicoretti4772]

I loved him madley in Milan, at Lirico!!!

[@worseto1]

Some of the most talented people our time when will the music companies understand this they turned their backs on the American people.

[@mckessa17]

This is talent, Canada loves the Duke.........

[@vic3025]

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

[@kelley381]

Love Duke Ellington, take the a train.

[@kyotodream7135]

Love this song!

[@myfirstemail17]

Love this song it is a nice song to dance to

[@gianluigicoretti4772]

I loved him madly!!!

[@markmaciel8811]

OK...I'm a bass player and played A Train many times but this bass player is quite possibly the coolest cat on the planet!! I'm glad I found this.

[@lopezb]

Fantastic!!

[@SuperHartline]

In Canada "Take the A Train", was known as 'Take the Train...Eh?"

[@L4RENZ]

😂😂😂

[@ornella2274]

Love you Duke

[@uuqununquadium]

Lovin the design of the set as much as the music, which is a lot

[@dennisrickman8872]

Ernie Sheppard with some cool scat.!!!

[@ladybird7845]

The best introducing to The Rolling Stones on stage, played by their friend Stu.

[@4205lr]

It was Humph. This was a BBC television broadcast from 1963 during one of Duke's English tours.

[@southernbyways2513]

Such a talented group

[@Rostro27]

this is so good

[@keithhaldane9794]

Wonderful!!!

[@juanfran1806]

Beautiful...

[@jimaroo100]

Mr. Ellington was one classy gentleman. In his opening remarks her was referring to the Congressman who represented Harlem in the 60s - the Reverend Adam Clayton Powell - one of the biggest crooks in the history of Congress (quite a distinction). But his corruption had not become public when this was filmed so Mr Ellington could still refer to him with pride.

[@MrMeatballtaco]

duke ellington is so friggin cool.

[@renetilghman428]

Miss you Cousin Betty Roche and love you always.

[@melmel6545]

this is great

[@Marlen-CruzCommercial_2023]

So educated and fine these men are

[@perihelion7798]

The Duke and the Count both never went too far from their blues roots.

[@Scotty14all]

I'm pretty sure that this was recorded in the UK for the BBC Jazz 625 programme.

[@skaleewag]

Harlem is represented. You just gotta take that "A" Train. This is an historically interesting broadcast. Thanks Bob for sharing this new take on a classic. Take the A Train is my main ringtone! :p

[@franco36able]

Mamma mia ! Che Grande artista e orchestra.

[@arkady714]

This is nothing less than American classical music.

[@henridelagardere264]

3:51 *Humph!* - Humphrey Lyttelton (who, of course, has also waxed his version of Take the A-Train).

[@miguelsinagra3257]

Ernie Shepard , Dios del Olimpo ❤

[@terreseco]

SICK!!!!

[@ajokeproduction]

Great American Music!

[@Pahedwin]

That is swinging music that i love

[@GarryBakuniec]

as the story goes...the lyrics were Ellington's instructions to his residence for Billy Strayhorn, who had never been to New York