Composer

:

Duke Ellington

Genre

:

Band

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1936

Average_duration

:

3:32

"Caravan" is a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol in 1936. The song was first recorded by Ellington's orchestra on December 19, 1936, and was released as a single in 1937. The song has since become one of Ellington's most famous compositions and has been covered by numerous artists. The song is characterized by its exotic and mysterious melody, which is played by Tizol on the trombone. The melody is accompanied by Ellington's piano and the rest of the orchestra, which includes saxophones, trumpets, and a rhythm section. The song is in a minor key and has a slow, sultry tempo. "Caravan" is divided into three movements. The first movement features the main melody played by Tizol on the trombone. The second movement features a call-and-response section between the brass and saxophone sections. The third movement features a drum solo by Sonny Greer, which builds to a climax before returning to the main melody. The song's exotic and mysterious sound was inspired by Tizol's Puerto Rican heritage and his love of Middle Eastern music. The song's title and lyrics also reflect this influence, as a caravan is a group of travelers in the Middle East. Overall, "Caravan" is a masterpiece of jazz composition and a testament to Ellington's genius as a bandleader and composer. Its exotic sound and memorable melody have made it a favorite of jazz musicians and fans alike for over 80 years.

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