Take the "A" Train -Billy Strayhorn

Who wrote Take the "A" Train?

Billy Staryhorn

Why did Billy Strayhorn toss “Take the ‘A’ Train” into the trash, initially?

He thought it was too similar to Fletcher Henderson’s style

Which subjects did Fletcher Henderson have university degrees in?

Math and chemistry

Which state did Fletcher Henderson earn his university degree in?

Atlanta

After obtaining his degrees, where did Fletcher Henderson move to study music?

New York

Fletcher Henderson is regarded as the founder of what and why?

“Big Band Jazz” because of her work with swing style

Who was Fletcher Henderson’s arranger?

Don Redman (1900-64)

Which 4 things did Henderson and Redman do to change jazz ensembles?

1. Increased the size of the bands

2. Employed Block voicing/Sectional writing

3. Used call-and-response patterns in their jazz

4. Used riffs extensively

What is block voicing or sectional writing?

Writing music so that instruments in the same family play the same music (all saxes have the same sheet music, instead of different parts)

What is call-and-response?

When one section (or person) presents a motif and another section (or person) responds, either by echoing the motif or by answering with a contrast

What is a riff?

The jazz equivalent of an ostinato

What are the 3 sections or “choirs” in Take the "A" Train?

Saxophone, trumpet, and trombone

How many musicians are in each section in Take the "A" Train?

5 Saxophones 5, 3trumpets and 3 trombones

Which instruments comprise the rhythm section of “Take the "A" Train?

Piano, guitar, string bass, and drum set

Who played the piano in “Take the "A" Train”?

Duke Ellington