Juan Tizol

Juan Tizol Martínez (22 January 1900 – 23 April 1984) was a Puerto Rican jazz trombonist and composer. He is best known as a member of Duke Ellington's big band, and for writing the jazz standards "Caravan", "Pyramid", and "Perdido".

Biography Tizol was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Music was a large part of his life from an early age. His first instrument was the violin, but he soon switched to valve trombone, the instrument he played throughout his career. His musical training came mostly from his uncle Manuel Tizol, the director of the municipal band and symphony in San Juan. In his youth, Tizol played in his uncle's band and also gained experience by playing in local operas, ballets, and dance bands. In 1920, he joined a band that was traveling to the United States to work in Washington, D.C. The group made it to Washington as stowaways and established residence at the Howard Theater, where it played for touring shows and silent films. At Howard, it was hired to play in small jazz or dance groups. This is where Tizol first met Duke Ellington.

Discography As sideman With Louis Bellson Journey Into Love (Norgran, 1954) Drumorama! (Verve, 1957) Music, Romance and Especially Love (Verve, 1957) The Brilliant Bellson Sound (Verve, 1960) Louis Bellson Swings Jule Styne (Verve, 1960) Live in Stereo June 28, 1959, at the Flamingo Hotel Vol. 1 (Jazz Hour, 1992)

With Duke Ellington Ellington Uptown (Columbia, 1951) Ellington '55 (Capitol, 1954) Seattle Concert (RCA Victor, 1954) Ellington Showcase (Capitol, 1956) Liberian Suite and a Tone Parallel to Harlem (Columbia, 1956) Piano in the Background (Columbia, 1960) Selections from Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 & 2 and Suite Thursday (Columbia, 1960) The Nutcracker Suite (Columbia, 1960) Paris Blues (United Artists, 1961)

With Harry James Dancing in Person with Harry James at the Hollywood Palladium (Columbia, 1954) Soft Lights, Sweet Trumpet (Columbia, 1954) Harry James in Hi-fi (Capitol, 1955) Jazz Session (Columbia, 1955) Juke Box Jamboree (Columbia, 1955) More Harry James in Hi-fi (Capitol, 1956) Requests On-the-Road (MGM, 1962)

With others Count Basie, First Time! The Count Meets the Duke (Columbia, 1962) Benny Carter, Cosmopolite (Norgran, 1954) Nat King Cole, After Midnight (Capitol, 1956) Nat King Cole, The Piano Style of Nat King Cole (Capitol, 1956) Maxwell Davis, Compositions of Duke Ellington and Others (Crown, 1960) Ella Fitzgerald, Get Happy! (Verve, 1959) Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book Vol. 1 (Verve, 1960) Peggy Lee, The Man I Love (Capitol, 1957) Peggy Lee, Jump for Joy (Capitol, 1958) Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely (Capitol, 1958)