StLJN Saturday at the Movies: Maynard Ferguson "Round Midnight" &Ellington and Nance "Take The A Train"

This weekend's video clips both feature big bands performing classic jazz compositions. The first is of trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and his 1950s band doing a version of Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" in characteristic brassy style. Still touring regularly, Ferguson has performed frequently in St. Louis over the last couple of years, and will return here Thanksgiving week for a series of shows at Finale Music and Dining.

The second video is of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, featuring Ray Nance, playing one of their signature tunes, "Take The A Train." Ellington's influence is, of course, ubiquitous throughout jazz, and "A Train" has certainly proved to be a timeless standard, but as far as I'm concerned, perhaps the most fun thing about this particular clip is the opportunity to see Nance, a singular talent and a major star of the Ellington Orchestra whether performing on trumpet, violin or vocals.