Dizzy: The Life and Times of John Birks Gillespie [Hardcover] Review

This is by far the most revealing (because best researched), most fascinating, and best written biography about Dizzy Gillespie and his times yet available. Uniquely informative musical explanations of Dizzy's contribitions to be-bop and his use of Afro-Cuban elements in jazz, propelling that music from the Swing Era into jazz of today and tomorrow. Also presents the social and historical context of Dizzy's story, from cotton picking in Cheraw,SC to world renown and jazz immortality. Only thing not explained, because it's unexplainable: how and why he was gifted with and then powerfully developed such prodigious talent -- the Mozart of jazz!

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Dizzy Gillespie secured his place in the jazz pantheon as one of the most expressive and virtuosic improvisers in the history of music. More important is that he was one of its great innovators. As a primary creator of the bebop and Afro-Cuban revolutions, he twice changed the way improvisation was fundamentally done. And by combining electrifying musicianship, infectious warmth, and rare comedic skills, he achieved a worldwide popularity few jazz musicians have ever enjoyed.


This is the enthralling saga of Dizzy Gillespie -- a chronicle of the rise of a jazz genius from the lowest rung of the social order to the highest pinnacle of respect and ability that brings Harlem's golden after-hours era, the raucous 52nd Street scene, of the forties, the barrios of Havana and Rio, the White House, and the world's great concert halls to glorious life.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Like Dizzy Gillespie's Cheeks [Paperback] Review

Good read it takes you into the main character's thoughts which are written very detailed.There are a lot of parts of the book which places the main character, Sam, into funny situations which you makes you think about yourself and life's most embarrassing moments.Did not want to stop reading the fiction tale to find out what would happen to Sam next.I recommend this novel.

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LIKE DIZZY GILLESPIE'S CHEEKS, is a humorous glimpse into the life of an unmotivated, Chicago Jazz Pianist who is stuck playing dingy bars, museum benefits and Nordstrom's half-yearly sales. As a matter of fact, he'll play at just about any establishment that will hire him. Typically, he can count on his longtime mentor, jazz great Ben Webster, to join him for a late night set on the piano. Irritable and not just because he's in his seventies, Ben leaves the club before playing a single note. The next day, Sam is devastated to learn that his best friend is dead. As a result, Sam's perspective on life takes an abrupt change. He notices how pathetically insignificant ones life can truly be. Stumbling through some interesting yet awkward situations, both funny and sad, including being conflicted about whether he should allow himself to fall in love with Kate Buckley, the reporter trying to get a story about his friend Ben for ESQUIRE, or continue his unhealthy relationship with Liz Brightwater of the Brightwater Marble fortune,Sam realizes that life is happening now. It's admirable to respect the past, but he must also learn to trust his future.

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To Be, or Not . . . to Bop [Paperback] Review

Jazz has been a lifelong love of mine, and Dizzy is at the top of the heap! Have always loved his music, and in this book,he gives us a generous lesson on jazz from beginning to end.He lets us in onhow he got the name "Dizzy", as well as other interesting peeks into his life- always with humour and an upbeat attitude.From Page 1 onward, you can visualize Mr. G.,----body keeping timeto the beat in his head, those rubber cheeks expanded, his admirers ... male and female, musicians and non-musicians... listening and swaying and tapping with admiration and awe.

This book is a lesson in music.I used to wonder why the drummers from America sounded so different from the drummers in other countries, say the Caribbean. Why is itthat acertain soundsets Americanmusicapart from all the music elsewhere in the world.Well, Dizzy explains all of this in his down-to-earth and charming manner.Reading this book is almost like getting a degree in musicology....except it's a lot more fun. He sugarcoats nothing, and puts everything out there for you to see.

Well written, informative, great fun, and a lot of history too.To repeat myself, I loved it!

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Bebop: The Music and Its Players [Paperback] Review

It is gratifying to find such a carefully written study of bebop -- a study which focuses from start to finish on the music. We know that many of the musicians had troubled lives and suffered with drugs and discrimination. The social and personal dimensions of bebop, however, have received ample attention in books, movies, and TV shows. This book is almost unique in providing a readable and scholarly analysis of the music. Owens faced a number of choices as to how to present his material, and he made the intelligent choice each time: Focus on the music (rare), not the details of "personal problems" (common); present just the right level of technical detail, never vague but never overly pedantic; trace the historical development of the music rather than an abstract description or a "how to play bop" approach (also common); and my favorite: organize the discussion around the idioms and masters of specific instruments -- sax, trumpet, piano, and so on. This last choice enables him to provide fresh insights as to how specific stylistic innovations on different instruments finally produced the characteristic ensemble style of bebop. I've bought two copies and I'm constantly recommending this book to friends.

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