Dizzy Gillespie was born on October 21, 1917 in Cheraw, South Carolina.
He was the son of a bricklayer and occasional musician, from whom he received various mistreatments.
These situations caused the young people to have multiple fights with everyone.
When he was fourteen he began to play the trombone, but immediately changed it to the trumpet.
When his family moved to Philadelphia in 1935, Dizzy already mastered that instrument with skill.
There he obtained his first major contract with the Frank Fairfax orchestra.
His life changed as he transformed from a thug in his youth to a true citizen of the world.
In fact, he supported various social causes, such as racial integration.
He then settled in New York, where he quickly became known as a young instrumentalist with a distinctive style.
He played with the big-bands of Cab Calloway and Earl Fatha Hines.
In the year 1945 he collaborated with the saxophonist charlie parkerwith whom he recorded some discos.
He was the leader of several big-bands in the mid-forties.
The harmonic and rhythmic innovations they included helped transform the musical language of jazz into a modern expressive form that captivated audiences around the world.
At the end of the 80s, when he had already turned 70, he created his “Orquesta de la Nación Unida”.
He passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, on January 6, 1993.
John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, American trumpeter, died on January 6, 1993.
The story is also news on Radio Perfil. Screenplay by Sebastián Rojas and voice over by Pita Fortín.
The story is also news. RadioProfile.
by Radio Profile FM 101.9
