I have no intention of posting about every jazz person’s birthday. There are other sites on the web for that. I have every intention of 
acknowledging Dizzy Gillespie’s 95th, which is today.
The video below finds him sitting in with Johnny Griffin’s quartet at Châteauvallon, France, in August of 1971. Gillespie was 53 and at a peak of one of the great playing periods of his life. Vince Benedetti is the pianist, Alby Cullaz the bassist, Arthur Taylor the drummer. The same band appears on the Griffin DVD that is a current Rifftides recommendation (see the right-hand column). This piece, “I’ll Remember April,” is not included in the DVD.
Dizzy Gillespie, 1919-1993
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
“I’ll Remember April, and be glad”…or in this case, ecstatic.
Thanks, Dizzy and Company.
Belated Happy Birthday, master Dizzy! — Diz blessed the world with his inspiring presence for more than 75 years. I miss him too; can’t tell you how much.
And although I’m feeling not “ecstatic” about it – ’cause for me it was the most natural thing to do -, I’m very happy that I grabbed the chance to meet this wonderful human being. I’m still wondering why not one single of my fellow students did that, too.
The 20th year after Dizzy will begin on January 6, 2013. Thanks to hundreds of recordings, of films, and books, his legacy will stay alive ‘n’ boppin’. The torch will be passed on, Diz, you can be sure about that.
Amazing music, amazing video. Love Diz. Nice post. Visit my high-end jazz vinyl collecting blog here: http://www.1139indearoldstockholm.com