Perdido

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra · 1942 · composition de Juan Tizol

Context

Composed by Juan Tizol, a longtime member of Ellington's orchestra, "Perdido" was first captured for a radio transcription on December 3, 1941, then recorded for Victor on January 21, 1942. Lyrics by Ervin Drake and Hans Lengsfelder were added in 1944. The tune became a standard covered by Ben Webster, Sarah Vaughan, Art Tatum or Charlie Parker, and played at the 1953 Massey Hall concert.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Swing, big bands. Among the origins and influences of Swing, big bands: Chicago, Stride (Harlem piano), Harlem: Henderson, Redman, Ellington, Kansas City, Boogie-woogie, Symphonic jazz, dance orchestras.

Cited in 1 radio episode

• Sep 28, 2026: PERDIDO - SANS BOUSSOLE À LA NOUVELLE ORLÉANS (Anatomie d'un titre, TSF Jazz, in French)

By the same artist

• Take the 'A' Train (1941)
• Chelsea Bridge (1941)
• I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good) (1941)
• Cotton Tail (1940)
• Sophisticated Lady (1933)
• It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (1932)

Sources

• EN: Perdido (song)

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