Duke Ellington, "Take the A Train"

“Take the A Train” was written by composer, arranger, pianist, and longtime Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn in 1939. 

Duke’s son first brought the song to the band, having recovered the chart from a trash bin after a frustrated Strayhorn discarded it. 

Despite its composers initial unease, the song quickly became the Ellington Orchestra’s signature number.