Caravan: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Juan Tizol / By Irving Mills / By Duke Ellington / Arranged by John Berry
Grade: 1-2
Item: 35-PK00160472
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Caravan - Full Score | $7.50 | |
| Caravan - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Aux Percussion | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
One of the most recognizable of all Duke Ellington's tunes, this distinctive composition combines the styles of Latin and big band jazz. Here's a marvelous arrangement playable by beginning groups.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00160472
More about this title
About the Composer: Juan Tizol
Juan Tizol was a Puerto Rican trombonist and composer who became one of Duke Ellington's most valued collaborators. His work with the Ellington Orchestra spanned decades and produced some of jazz's most enduring compositions, many of which drew on Caribbean and Latin influences that reflected his own cultural heritage.
Tizol's gift for melody and orchestration made him essential to Ellington's sound during the 1940s and beyond. His compositions remain fixtures in jazz education and performance precisely because they balance sophistication with accessibility, offering students entry points into jazz history through music that never feels dated.
Why we love this
John Berry's arrangement preserves everything that makes Caravan a standard without overwhelming inexperienced players. The Latin groove sits naturally in a Grade 1-2 setting, and the writing for individual sections is lean enough that students can focus on tone quality and rhythmic accuracy rather than fighting the notes.
What to expect
Exotic and propulsive. The Latin percussion and harmonic movement create an immediate sense of travel and energy, while Ellington's melody unfolds with effortless sophistication. Students feel like they are playing something genuinely cool from the moment the groove locks in.
Who it's for
Beginning jazz ensembles that need a repertoire staple with genuine style. Teachers looking for a work that introduces students to Latin jazz elements and big band arranging without requiring advanced reading skills or maturity.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the Latin feel grounded in the rhythm section. Lock the bass line and clave pattern early in rehearsal so horns can sit confidently on top of that foundation.
- Approach the melody with a relaxed swing feel even within the Latin context. This blend of styles is what makes Caravan distinctive, so resist the urge to make it too stiff or too straight.
- Balance the dynamic layers carefully. The arrangement likely uses muted and open sections to create color and contrast; ensure each voice projects clearly without the full ensemble washing out individual lines.
- Record a rehearsal and listen back as a group. Hearing yourselves captures rhythmic togetherness issues that are easy to miss in real time, especially in a piece built on groove.
How to use it
Position this as an early-year crowd pleaser that builds ensemble pride. It works brilliantly on an all-jazz concert or as a contrasting piece alongside swing standards. The arrangement's approachability means you can spend rehearsal time on musicality and interpretation rather than technical remediation.
Skills your students will build
- Latin rhythmic feels and clave patterns
- Balancing swing interpretation with Latin groove
- Playing with dynamics and color changes
- Listening to and locking with a rhythm section
- Reading and executing muting and articulation markings