DIZZY GILLESPIE: A Night in Chicago

Amazon.com This live date recorded in Chicago in the late '80s (but not released until 1993) captures pioneering bebop trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in a scintillating set of standards and original compositions backed by a quicksilver horn/rhythm section combo, featuring the underrated pianist Walter Davis Jr. and bassist John Lee. With his trademark puffy cheeks and upturned trumpet, Gillespie delivers speed-of-light bop licks on his Afro-Latin and calypso-tinged tunes "Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac" and "Fiesta Mojo." His romantic tones ring on George Gershwin's "Embraceable You" and on a lovely trumpet/piano duo take on Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight." Gillespie's famous "A Night in Tunisia" is reinterpreted in a streamlined, exotic arrangement. Along with his technical genius, Gillespie is a master showman who works the audience with his charisma, jokes, and onstage banter. This DVD shows that even in his senior years, Dizzy Gillespie is still crazy like a fox. --Eugene Holley Jr. Product Description This night of jazz, filmed in an intimate club setting, showcases the legendary trumpeter playing, dancing, and joking in the inimitable Gillespie manner. Review A priceless souvenir of one of our bona fide legends… Dizzy cavorts and entertains- and plays- in the inimitable Gillespie manner… a serious kind of fun --Chuck Berg, JazzTimes Magazine Always experimenting and, of course, clowning around. You can sample both elements of his personality here. --The Denver Post The session is fun and exciting for all. --D. Oscar Groomes, O s Place Jazz Newsletter