Earlier this year I posted the original recording of this Juan Tizol tune, “Caravan” on the Variety label from December of 1936 featuring a smaller subset of the Ellington orchestra billing themselves as Barney Bigard and his Jazzopaters:
https://youtu.be/M17eZcf_hOw
Here, in this recording from about five months later, we hear the tune with the full Ellington orchestra with a few interesting differences. There is a more complex polyrhythmic introduction by Sonny Greer on drums that goes on for a few more bars, setting a tone that feels both Cuban and North African simultaneously. This is followed by Juan Tizol’s trombone laying down the theme, very softly accompanied by a reedman. The unmistakable growl of Cootie Williams’ trumpet then can be heard simmering in the background.
Barney Bigard’s clarinet then takes a solo, followed by Williams. All-in-all, this version seems to be more complex and subdued that the original, swinging a little less but more richly ornamental and evocative. Even though the entire Ellington orchestra is credited, this recording has a very intimate feel due to the focused arrangement.
Recorded in New York City on May 14, 1937.
Released as Master MA 131. Later reissued as Brunswick m7997 and Columbia 36120.
The Master label was created in 1936 by Ellington manager Irving Mills (along with the Variety label). Only 40 records were issued by Master and it folded in 1937, with some of its masters then being reissued by Brunswick.
Credits (as per Brian Rust’s “Jazz and Ragtime Records, 1897-1942”, 6th Ed.)
Duke Ellington – piano, arranger, director
Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams – trumpet
Rex Stewart – cornet
Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown – trombone
Juan Tizol – valve trombone
Barney Bigard – clarinet
Johnny Hodges – clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax
Harry Carney – clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax
Otto Hardwick – alto sax, bass sax
Fred Guy – guitar
Hayes Alvis, Billy Taylor – string bass
Sonny Greer – drums
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