Composer
Juan Tizol
Biography
Juan Tizol (1900–1984) was a Puerto Rican valve trombonist and composer whose music helped introduce Latin influences into the jazz orchestra. He received much of his early training from his uncle Manuel Tizol, a conductor in San Juan, and gained experience in concert, theatre and dance ensembles.
After moving to Washington, D.C., in 1920, he worked at the Howard Theater and later joined Duke Ellington’s orchestra in 1929. His precise playing, warm tone and skill in preparing instrumental parts made him an important member of the ensemble. His compositions include the jazz standards Caravan and Perdido. He also worked extensively with Harry James and other musicians on the West Coast.
Andrea Marcelli’s The Invisible Child includes Caravan, credited to Tizol and Ellington, performed by Serge Forté, Davide Petrocca and Marcelli.