Caravan: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Billy Eckstine / As performed by Ralph Marterie / As performed by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra / Arranged by Michael Philip Mossman
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00342259
$50.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Caravan - Full Score | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Alto Sax | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Tenor Sax | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Trombone | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Aux Percussion | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Vibes | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - C Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Bb Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Eb Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Bass Clef Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Alternate Alto Sax | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Alternate Tenor Sax | $6.00 | |
| Caravan - Alternate Trombone | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
This Ellington favorite adapts beautifully to the small band format in the skilled hands of Michael Mossman. The classic tune is still there, but with a contemporary twist.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00342259
More about this title
About the Artist: Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine was a trailblazing baritone who bridged the worlds of big band jazz and popular song. His warm, resonant voice and sophisticated phrasing made him one of the most recorded vocalists of the 1940s and 1950s, and he led his own orchestra that became a launching pad for bebop innovators like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughan.
For music educators, Eckstine's legacy matters because he demonstrated how to sing jazz with both technical precision and emotional depth. His interpretations of standards remain models for teaching phrasing, dynamics, and the art of accompanying oneself within an ensemble.
Why we love this
Mossman's arrangement respects the melodic bones of Caravan while giving it room to breathe in a smaller ensemble setting. The Grade 3 difficulty means your students can focus on the style and swing feel without wrestling complex harmonies, making this an excellent choice for building authentic jazz vocabulary without overwhelming newer players.
What to expect
Sultry and propulsive at once. Caravan pulses with Latin-tinged sophistication while maintaining that loose, conversational swing that made it a favorite across decades. The contemporary tweaks freshen the arrangement without erasing its classic appeal.
Who it's for
Directors programming a jazz ensemble concert who want a standard that students recognize and audiences love, but need an arrangement scaled for developing players. Bands preparing for jazz festivals or competitions will find this provides accessible yet convincing jazz credibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the clave foundation early. The Latin feel rides on rhythmic precision from the rhythm section, so lock that pocket before layering the melody and improvisation.
- Shape the dynamics through the main theme to create space for the soloists. A swaggering first chorus feels more dramatic when contrasted with a slightly pulled-back second time through.
- Keep the tempo steady but don't rush the quarter-note swing. This tune has swagger built into its DNA, and that confidence comes from clarity in the eighth-note subdivisions.
- Balance the horn section so the melody sings cleanly. Young players often bunch their tone weight forward; remind them that space in the voicing lets the tune cut through the rhythm section.
How to use it
Open a jazz or standards-focused concert with this to set an energetic, elegant tone. It pairs well alongside other Ellington compositions or works by arrangers who respect the tradition while pushing it forward. Consider positioning it early enough that audiences settle into the style comfortably before moving into more complex or experimental pieces.
Skills your students will build
- Latin rhythm and clave navigation in a jazz context
- Swing eighth-note articulation and subdivision
- Balancing solo space with ensemble accompaniment
- Phrasing and dynamics in melodic leadership
- Listening for and supporting harmonic movement beneath the surface