On this day in 1917, John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. Dizzy's father was a local bandleader and instruments were always around the family home. Which is why Dizzy started playing the piano at the age of four and graduated to the trombone and trumpet by twelve. Gillespie gave up a music scholarship to the Laurinburg Institute to pursue his music professionally and for awhile played with the great Ella Fitzgerald in her orchestra. In the 1940's Dizzy was part of the growing bebop movement that is considered by many to be the first modern jazz movement. Under his tutelage many great musicians got their start including Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Arturo Sandoval and Fats Navarro. Dizzy is most remembered for his scat singing, beret and puffy cheek style of playing.
No comments:
Post a Comment