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John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie: The Legendary Trumpeter and Bandleader

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Published in John Birks Dizzy Gillespie: A Man A Trumpet And A Journey To Bebop (Change Maker 2)

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John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and singer. A central figure in the development of bebop, Gillespie was known for his virtuosic trumpet playing, his distinctive bent horn, his improvisational skills, and his Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz compositions.

John Birks Dizzy Gillespie: A Man a Trumpet and a Journey to Bebop (Change Maker 2)

John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie: A Man, a Trumpet, and a Journey to Bebop (Change Maker Series Book 2)

by Susan Engle

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	144 pages

Early Life and Career

John Birks Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina, on October 21, 1917. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 14 and quickly developed a remarkable talent. In 1935, he joined the Frankie Fairfax Orchestra and toured with them for two years. In 1937, he moved to New York City and began playing with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Bud Powell.

Bebop and Modern Jazz

In the late 1940s, Gillespie became a central figure in the development of bebop, a new style of jazz that was characterized by its fast tempos, complex harmonies, and improvisational solos. Gillespie's trumpet playing was a major force in the development of bebop, and he helped to popularize the style with his recordings and performances with Charlie Parker.

In the 1950s, Gillespie continued to experiment with new musical styles, including Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin jazz. He also formed his own big band, the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, which toured extensively throughout the world.

Later Career and Legacy

In the 1960s and 1970s, Gillespie continued to perform and record, both as a soloist and with his orchestra. He also became a respected educator, teaching at the Juilliard School and other institutions.

Dizzy Gillespie died in Englewood, New Jersey, on January 6, 1993, at the age of 75. He was buried in Flushing Cemetery in Queens, New York.

Gillespie's legacy as a jazz musician is immense. He was one of the most influential trumpet players of all time, and his contributions to bebop and modern jazz are immeasurable. He was also a gifted composer and arranger, and his music continues to be performed and enjoyed by jazz fans around the world.

Discography

* Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker: Bebop (1945) * Dizzy Gillespie: Groovin' High (1945) * Dizzy Gillespie: Night in Tunisia (1946) * Dizzy Gillespie: Manteca (1947) * Dizzy Gillespie: Afro (1954) * Dizzy Gillespie: The New Continent (1962) * Dizzy Gillespie: The United Nations Orchestra (1965) * Dizzy Gillespie: Free Ride (1977) * Dizzy Gillespie: Live at the Royal Festival Hall (1989)

Awards and Honors

* Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance, Soloist (1964) * Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band (1975) * Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1989) * Kennedy Center Honors (1989) * National Medal of Arts (1990)