The Case:
1941, Manhattan bustles, and New York City's newest subway line - the "A" train - is moving people in more ways than one. A new instrumental "Take the 'A' Train," rolls up the charts and will become the signature song of pianist Edward Kennedy Ellington. The song will bring financial success to a pioneering music publishing venture, owned by Duke Ellington.
But was the young composer of "Take the A Train" himself denied full credit for the hit song? More than half a century later, Garfield Gillings, of Brooklyn, New York, has made a discovery, boxes of sheet music in a dumpster. Among the paper scores are metal sheets that look like printing plates for "Take the A Train."
History Detectives sets out to find the story behind these plates and to determine the role they played in this jazz classic.
Season 8, Episode 5
Season 7, Episode 11
Detective:
Tukufu Zuberi
Location:Brooklyn, New York
Related Content
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Season 8
Lost City of Gold
What can these carved letters reveal about the first explorers to visit the American Southwest?
-
Also in this episode
Civil War Bridge
Has a new discovery rewritten Civil War history?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Manhattan Project Patent
Was this drawing part of America's secret plans to fuel the atomic bomb?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Mystery Crystal Cross
Where did this mysterious religious relic discovered in an old Spanish mission originally come from?
-
Related Investigation
Lauste Film Clip
How is this odd strip of film connected to the invention of talking movies?
-
Related Investigation
Silent Film Reel
Could this film reel could be a silent movie once lost forever to history?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.