Duke Ellington Day! Catch the Original 1939 a Train

CELEBRATION: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has declared April 29 Duke Ellington Day in honor of the 110th anniversary of the jazz legends birth. To commemorate his life, The Islands Of The Bahamas are sponsoring a special run of the last surviving 1939 A Train, made famous by Duke Ellingtons signature tune Take the A Train.

WHAT: Paul Ellington, members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and musicians from Music Under New York (MUNY) will perform the iconic song on the mezzanine at 125th Street and St. Nicholas. All musicians will then board and perform on the historic train as it travels out to JFK in regular service.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
10 a.m. Remarks and performance by Paul Ellington, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and musicians from MUNY
11 a.m. sharp All Aboard! A Train departs 125th Street, making express stops
11 a.m. 2 p.m. The A Train runs in revenue service and is open to the public

WHERE: 125th Street and St. Nicholas A Train (IND) Subway Station

WHO: Paul Ellington and The Duke Ellington Orchestra

MODA Entertainment, Inc.

Musicians from Music Under New York

Bahamas musicians and VIPs JetBlue Airways crewmembers

SPONSOR: The Islands of The Bahamas, one of Duke Ellingtons favorite haunts and home of the famous Cat and Fiddle Club in Nassau where top Jazz musicians from around the world entertained in the 50s and 60s.