Alabamy Home and Caravan

Whilst randomly searching online for information about the standard, "Caravan," we came across an interesting article arguing that the piece was based on an earlier Ellington-penned song, "Alabamy Home." When one listens to the recording of it from the 1930s by the Gotham Stompers, one can immediately notice the harmonic and other similarities with Juan Tizol's "Caravan." But when Duke's Orchestra recorded the piece, they emphasized more of the "jungle" sound or aesthetic with use of muted trumpets, as well as featuring vocals. However, the later recording of the tune by Zoot Sims illustrates the unmistakable similarities with "Caravan." Thus, Juan Tizol's credit for the song was probably in emphasizing the vaguely "Oriental" and Spanish themes already evident in "Alabamy Home." Hannah Krall finding parts for the trombone for "Alabamy Home" dated to the period of 1926-1928 clearly demonstrates that "Caravan" was a reworking of "Alabamy Home."

Caravan with Emmet Cohen & Miguel Zenón

Although we haven't listened to Miguel Zenón in several years, when we saw him perform live, we were impressed. He did a great job fusing genres from Puerto Rico with jazz. As such, it is fitting that he would tackle the legendary "Caravan" by Duke Ellington's Puerto Rican bandmate, Juan Tizol. The group interprets "Caravan" with great Latin flair for the first approximately 8 minutes before starting to swing. The drummer, as always, is versatile and excellent.

Caravan Rara

Jazz standard "Caravan" receives the rara treatment in this delectable number from Mozayik. The use of rara rhythms is seamless and commendable. Unfortunately, the rara section only persists for a little over a minute, it shows the potential for Haitian rara/jazz fusion music, particularly as an uncommon form of "Latin" jazz. Perhaps the two share similar stylistic origins in the street music of New Orleans and Haiti?