Raincheck is a jazz tune composed by Billy Strayhorn and famously recorded by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra. The first recording was on December 2, 1941, with the first release following in May 1942. Strayhorn had joined Ellington as staff composer in 1939, and Raincheck became part of his significant contributions to the Ellington book, alongside Take the A Train. The piece opens with a distinctive motive built on ascending fourths and uses a repeating sequence that showcases Strayhorn's melodic approach. It remained in the Ellington repertoire and was revisited on the 1967 album And His Mother Called Him Bill, a tribute to Strayhorn after his death. Over the years Raincheck has been recorded by many artists, helping it endure as a jazz standard.
