A Night in Tunisia is one of the best-known Dizzy Gillespie compositions and was recorded on this date in the year 1944 by Boyd Raeburn and his Orchestra. It is one of the first recorded examples of a bebop influence in a big band arrangement and features a then-unique ostinato bass line, as opposed to the standard “walking bass.” Gillespie originally called the tune “Interlude,” but, as Dizzy said “some genius decided to call it A Night in Tunisia.” The label on the original Musicraft 78rpm record does say Interlude, but “A Night in Tunisia” appears on subsequently pressed V-Discs.

The 1940s were a productive time for the tremendously influential Gillespie.  During that decade he composed not only Night in Tunisia, but Groovin’ High, Salt Peanuts and Woody ‘N’ You, all of which have become part of the standard jazz repertoire. Conflicting accounts have Gillespie composing this tune around 1942 when he was either playing with the Earl Hines band or with Benny Carter’s group.

On a copy of the aforementioned V-Disc recording handwritten notes indicate that, along with Gillespie, trombonist Trummy Young and alto player Johnny Bothwell appear on the record.  Tenor man Al Cohn is also mentioned in those notes, but some jazz historians seem to feel that the tenor solo on the record was actually played by Lucky Thompson. The song was also recorded that same year by both Sarah Vaughan and the Gillespie-Oscar Pettiford quintet.

Here is a link to Boyd Raeburn’s 1944 recording of A Night in Tunisia (or Interlude - your choice):

"A NIGHT IN TUNISIA"