Dizzy Gillespie – Biography
Born in South Carolina in 1917, John “Dizzy” Gillespie is a defining icon of modern jazz. After starting his career playing trumpet in swing bands with the likes of Earl Hines and Cab Calloway, Gillespie gained fame and acclaim in the 1940s for helping to usher in the bebop movement. Along with Charlie Parker, Gillespie was responsible for the modernization of jazz across the world.
Gillespie’s music is characterized by an innovative approach to soloing and an emphasis on Spanish-tinged rhythm (he was also a key figure in the development of Afro-Cuban jazz). He’s undoubtedly one of the greatest trumpeters of all time, enjoying a highly successful and prolific career until his death in 1993. Keep reading below for Dizzy Gillespie music and album reviews.
Discography
- Bird and Diz (1952, with Charlie Parker) A
- Jazz at Massey Hall (1953, with The Quintet) A
- Diz and Getz (1955, with Stan Getz) A-
- Sonny Side Up (1959, with Sonny Rollins & Sonny Stitt) B+
Accolades
- Colin’s Review Music Hall of Fame
- 1940s Best Songs – #22, #31 & #37
- 1940s Artists of the Decade – #5