Caravan: when did it become a drum feature?

tyleman · December 10th, 2004, 08:11 PM

Hi,
Anybody have an idea when Caravan became a drum feature? Was it Bellson with Ellington? (My guess.)

Thanks,
tyleman

jazzbluescat · December 11th, 2004, 02:10 PM

I thought it was with Gene Krupa (with Goodman?).

Phil Kelly · December 11th, 2004, 06:48 PM

actually ..

It was a big favorite in 50s strip joints for the finale for many strippers .. ( WITH the drum solo ..and the counter-rotating tit twirls ..and the mirror ball and color wheel effects )

Don Brown · December 12th, 2004, 08:06 AM

Jo Jones was the first one to use Caravan as a drum feature. Like many pieces from the Ellington "songbook" Caravan was extremely popular with strippers, but not as a drum solo.

Phil Kelly · December 12th, 2004, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Brown

Caravan was extremely popular with strippers, but not as a drum solo.

au contraire ..I was there

Don Brown · December 12th, 2004, 02:45 PM

What time period are you talking about, Phil?

PDEE · December 12th, 2004, 04:37 PM

Strippers aside ( I thought Night Train was the Strippers National Anthem ).. my mind says Jo Jones also, however the only recorded evidence comes from the mid 50's, and "Caravan with a drum solo" was, I think. well established by then.

As for Krupa / Goodman, according to the discos only two broadcast recordings of Caravan exist of the Goodman band from the mid 30's.. I have neither and therefore have no concept if they were drum features or not.

Phil Kelly · December 12th, 2004, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Brown

What time period are you talking about, Phil?

early 50s ..northern Ohio ..

..and yes, "Night ( happy go lucky) Train" was often used as an the opener ..

Don Brown · December 12th, 2004, 09:17 PM

Well, we're certainly talking about the same period (and we probably saw the same strippers - including Tempest Storm, who, interestingly enough was married to one-time Ellington vocalist Herb Jeffries - and Chili Pepper).

While the band at the Casino Theatre here in Toronto played lots of Ellington material - in very drum-heavy arrangements - I don't remember there ever being drum solos as such. But jeez, I'm getting old (I have five years on you, Phil) and I could have forgotten.

Those were fun times weren't they?

Phil Kelly · December 13th, 2004, 10:56 AM

Well Don, I was in Canton OH ..

and those strip show gigs were some of my very first pro gigs ( I was literally illegal ..I was 15 at the time )

our "band" was minimal as I recall ..trumpet, sax, piano, and drums ( me ) ..and I do recall the names Rose La Rose, and Cindy Lane and her twin 44s

I had far more fun attempting to play REAL jazz a few years later!

Tenorman · November 18th, 2006, 05:50 PM

I notice that both of the main posters are on-line right now. Do both of you remember this from 2 years ago.

You guys ought to write an autobiography. This is fascinating. Tell us more

December 10th, 2004, 08:11 PM	#1
tyleman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5	Caravan: when did it become a drum feature? Hi, Anybody have an idea when Caravan became a drum feature? Was it Bellson with Ellington? (My guess.) Thanks, tyleman Last edited by tyleman; December 10th, 2004 at 08:24 PM. Reason: spelling error

December 11th, 2004, 02:10 PM	#2
jazzbluescat Unregistered and feral Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spring Lake, NC Posts: 2,060	I thought it was with Gene Krupa (with Goodman?). __________________ A lot of good arguments are ruined by some fool who knows what he's talking about.

December 11th, 2004, 06:48 PM	#3
Phil Kelly Compose /Arranger / Jazz Prod. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 4,147	actually .. It was a big favorite in 50s strip joints for the finale for many strippers .. ( WITH the drum solo ..and the counter-rotating tit twirls ..and the mirror ball and color wheel effects ) __________________ Swing ..or I'll kill you ( Bill Potts ) RIP

December 13th, 2004, 10:56 AM	#10
Phil Kelly Compose /Arranger / Jazz Prod. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 4,147	Well Don, I was in Canton OH .. and those strip show gigs were some of my very first pro gigs ( I was literally illegal ..I was 15 at the time ) our "band" was minimal as I recall ..trumpet, sax, piano, and drums ( me ) ..and I do recall the names Rose La Rose, and Cindy Lane and her twin 44s I had far more fun attempting to play REAL jazz a few years later! __________________ Swing ..or I'll kill you ( Bill Potts ) RIP

November 18th, 2006, 05:50 PM	#11
Tenorman AAJ's Spammer Exterminator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London - expat Scot Posts: 8,739	I notice that both of the main posters are on-line right now. Do both of you remember this from 2 years ago. You guys ought to write an autobiography. This is fascinating. Tell us more __________________ Birth Controller to the Jazz Community. (click on the underlined text for more information)

December 12th, 2004, 08:06 AM	#4
Don Brown Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 49	Jo Jones was the first one to use Caravan as a drum feature. Like many pieces from the Ellington "songbook" Caravan was extremely popular with strippers, but not as a drum solo.

December 12th, 2004, 02:45 PM	#6
Don Brown Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 49	What time period are you talking about, Phil?

December 12th, 2004, 04:37 PM	#7
PDEE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Woodinville Wa Posts: 1,586	Strippers aside ( I thought Night Train was the Strippers National Anthem ).. my mind says Jo Jones also, however the only recorded evidence comes from the mid 50's, and "Caravan with a drum solo" was, I think. well established by then. As for Krupa / Goodman, according to the discos only two broadcast recordings of Caravan exist of the Goodman band from the mid 30's.. I have neither and therefore have no concept if they were drum features or not.

December 12th, 2004, 09:17 PM	#9
Don Brown Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 49	Well, we're certainly talking about the same period (and we probably saw the same strippers - including Tempest Storm, who, interestingly enough was married to one-time Ellington vocalist Herb Jeffries - and Chili Pepper). While the band at the Casino Theatre here in Toronto played lots of Ellington material - in very drum-heavy arrangements - I don't remember there ever being drum solos as such. But jeez, I'm getting old (I have five years on you, Phil) and I could have forgotten. Those were fun times weren't they?

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