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John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie ( October 21 1917 – January 6 1993 ) was an American Jazz Trumpet er, Bandleader , Singer , and Composer . He was born in Cheraw, South Carolina . Together with Charlie Parker , he was a major figure in the development of Bebop and Modern Jazz . In addition to featuring in these epochal moments in jazz, he was instrumental in founding Afro-Cuban Jazz , the modern jazz version of the " Spanish Tinge ". Gillespie was a trumpet Virtuoso and gifted Improviser , building on the virtuoso style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of Harmonic complexity previously unknown in jazz. In addition to his instrumental skills, Dizzy's Beret and horn-rimmed spectacles, his Scat Singing , his bent horn, pouched cheeks and his light-hearted personality were essential in popularizing bebop, which was originally regarded as threatening and frightening music by many listeners raised on older styles of jazz. He had an enormous impact on virtually every subsequent trumpeter, both by the example of his playing and as a mentor to younger musicians. He also used a trumpet whose bell was bent at a 45 degree angle rather than a traditional straight trumpet. This was originally the result of accidental damage caused during a job on January 6, 1953, but the constriction caused by the bending altered the tone of the instrument, and Gillespie liked the effect. BIOGRAPHY Early life and career Gillespie was the youngest of nine children. His father, who regularly beat his children, died when Gillespie was ten. Dizzy drew his inspiration from his father, who played all of his favorite instruments. Gillespie taught himself to play the trumpet at the age of 12 and managed to win a scholarship to the Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina . However, he dropped out of school in 1935, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , and became desperate to work as a full-time musician. Gillespie first joined Frankie Fairfax, and made his recording debut in 1937 while filling for Roy Eldridge in Teddy Hill's band. After finding work with 's, and also arranged music for Woody Herman . The legendary Big Band of Billy Eckstine gave his unusual harmonies a better setting, and it was as a member of Eckstine's band that he was reunited with Parker, after earlier being members of Earl Hines 's more conventional band. The rise of bebop With , 1945 . Gillespie taught many of the young musicians on 52nd Street , like Miles Davis and Max Roach , about the new style of jazz. After a lengthy gig at Billy Berg's club in Los Angeles, though, which left most of those in the audience ambivalent or hostile towards the new music, the band broke up. Unlike Parker, who was content to play in small groups and be an occasional featured soloist in big bands, Gillespie aimed to lead a big band himself; his first attempt to do this came in 1945, but it did not prove a success. After his work with Parker, Gillespie led other small combos (including ones with Milt Jackson , John Coltrane , Lalo Schifrin ) and finally put together his first successful big band. He also appeared frequently as a soloist with Norman Granz 's Jazz At The Philharmonic . On March 11 , 1952 Gillespie left for France after being invited by Charles Delaunay to play on ''Salon du Jazz''. Tercinet, Alain, Booklet of ''The Great Blue Star Sessions 1952-1953'' Gillespie did not have any other commitments during his time in Paris and therefore embarked on his Blue Star sessions and started to assemble his third big band. Due to his prior success he could now record in the finest studios like Théatre des Champs-Elysées. In 1953 he returned to the United States after a series of successful concerts and recordings, but most importantly he proved himself to be a successful Bandleader . In 1956 he organized a band to go on a State Department tour of the Middle East and earned the nickname "the Ambassador of Jazz" from Ken Burns's Jazz, A Gillespie Biography Ken Burns's Jazz, A Gillespie Biography . Afro-Cuban music In the late 1940s, Gillespie was also involved in the movement called Afro-Cuban Music , bringing Latin and African elements to greater prominence in jazz and even Pop Music , particularly Salsa . Gillespie's most famous contributions to Afro-Cuban Music are the compositions "Manteca" and "Tin Tin Deo"; he was responsible for commissioning George Russell 's "Cubano Be, Cubano Bop", which featured the great but ill-fated Cuban conga player, Chano Pozo . In 1977, Gillespie discovered Arturo Sandoval while researching music during a tour of Cuba. Later years and death festival 1981.]] Unlike his contemporary Miles Davis , Gillespie essentially remained true to the bebop style for the rest of his career. In 1964 the artist put himself forward as a presidential candidate. He promised that if he were elected, the White House would be renamed "The Blues House," Ray Charles would be appointed Librarian Of Congress , Miles Davis would become the head of the CIA , and Malcolm X the Attorney General . BBC radio broadcast on Gillespie's 1964 presidential campaign. He also said his running mate would be Phyllis Diller . Gillespie published his Autobiography , '' To Be Or Not To Bop '' in 1979 . In the also toured with the group and was also greatly affected by Gillespie. Both artists later were nominated for Grammy awards. Gillespie also had a guest appearance on '' The Cosby Show '' as well as '' Sesame Street ''. In 1982, Dizzy Gillespie had a cameo on Stevie Wonder 's hit ''Do I Do''. Gillespie's tone gradually faded in the last years in life, and his performances often focused more on his proteges such as Arturo Sandoval and Jon Faddis ; his good-humoured comedic routines became more and more a part of his live act. at 1984 Stanford Jazz Workshop ]] In 1989 Gillespie gave 300 performances in 27 countries, appeared in 100 U.S. cities in 31 states and the District of Columbia, headlined three television specials, performed with two symphonies, and recorded four albums. He was also crowned a traditional chief in Nigeria, received the ''Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres'' -- France's most prestigious cultural award -- was named ''regent professor'' by the University of California, and received his fourteenth Honorary Doctoral Degree , this one from the Berklee College Of Music . In addition, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award the same year. The next year, at the Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts ceremonies celebrating the centennial of American jazz, Gillespie received the Kennedy Center Honors Award and the American Society Of Composers, Authors, And Publishers ''Duke Ellington Award'' for 50 years of achievement as a composer, performer, and bandleader. Pop/Jazz; A Tribute For Gillespie And the Jazz He Created Jazz with Bob Parlocha - Biographies - Dizzy Gillespie .]] November 26, 1992 at , Marvin "Doc" Holladay , James Moody , Paquito D'Rivera , and The Mike Longo Trio with Ben Brown on bass and Mickey Roker on drums. But Gillespie didn't make it because he was in bed suffering from cancer of the pancreas. "But the musicians played their hearts out for him, no doubt suspecting that he would not play again. Each musician gave tribute to their friend, this great soul and innovator in the world of jazz." The Spiritual Side of Dizzy by Lowell Johnson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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