JUAN TIZOL AND HIS INFLUENCES ON DUKE ELLINGTON

JUAN TIZOL AND HIS INFLUENCES ON DUKE ELLINGTON Known as the first celebrated valve trombonist in the history of jazz and the most influential jazz pioneer from Puerto Rico, Juan Tizol was an invaluable asset to Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.1 Although he was not considered a great jazz player, Tizol was an important section player in the famous trombone section that was later dubbed “God’s Trombones.”2 For many years he was one of Ellington’s most relied upon music copyists, the primary source of the introduction of Latin rhythms to Ellington’s orchestra, and the only Puerto Rican member. He was also the composer of an entire songbook of works, several of which became some of Ellington’s most requested and performed songs.