John, I first heard "Take the A Train" performed by the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) when they played in Greenwich Village in the late 50's. It may have been at the Blue Note or at another club. That was a performance to remember. After the show, Miles Davis, Philly Joe Jones & Paul Desmond got up on stage & did some fantasic riffs. The tune was written by Duke Ellington which he recorded in the 40's or early 50's as best as I can recall. The flip side had Judy Garland singing "Im off to see the Wizard".<g>