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
-
Related Investigation
Drug Smuggling Doll
What does this doll reveal about disease, death and daring during the Civil War?
-
Related Investigation
Fillmore Pardon
Did President Fillmore pardon a Native American convicted of murder?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Blueprint Special
Did this record play a dramatic role in the Allied victory during the Second World War?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Our Colored Heroes
Is this a WWI recruitment poster... or something else?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Hot Town Poster
What role did this striking poster play in the explosive events of 1960s America?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Newport U-Boat
Did these propellers come from a WWII German submarine?
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.