Take the "A" Train Take the "A" Train "Take the 'A' Train" is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra. The use of the Strayhorn composition as the signature tune was made necessary by a ruling in 1940 by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). When ASCAP raised its licensing fees for broadcast use, many ASCAP members, including Ellington, could no longer play their compositions over radio, as most music was played live on radio at the time. Ellington turned to Billy Strayhorn and son Mercer Ellington, who were registered with ASCAP
Duke Ellington at Fargo, 1940 Live in 1941. In addition to Ellington himself, notable soloists included Ben Webster, Jimmy Blanton, Johnny Hodges, Rex Stewart, and Tricky Sam Nanton. Trumpeter Ray Nance had recently joined the band after Cootie Williams had left to play with Benny Goodman and, the night of the concert, Ellington told Towers that his trumpet section was in "rough shape". The concert included the first performance of "Star Dust" by the band as a whole. After the show, Towers and Burris played parts of the recording for Ellington and his bandmates. Jack Towers later said, "When Dick and I recorded this Fargo performance,