Broadcast: September 17, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
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John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was one of the most important figures in Jazz history. He was an jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer and, occasionally, singer.
He early works were with the Cab Calloway's Orchestra , the Earl Hines band (which had Bird in it), the Billy Eckstine Band (which also had Bird in it). In the 1940s Dizzy Gillespie, together with Charlie Parker, became a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz.
He was introduced to Chano Pozo in 1947 by Mario Bauza, a Latin jazz trumpet player. Many of Gillespie's compositions have become Jazz standards today. A few of them are: Con Alma, Groovin' High, Manteca, A Night In Tunisia and Salt Peanuts .
This is a short introduction of his important musical life.