Dizzy Gillespie

Dizzy Gillespie - Live at the Royal Festival Hall, London
$14.98
Dizzy displays his talents here. Though he is older, the music still sounds fresh. Gillespie is accompanied by an allstar band of international musicians. This is a must see.

Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945
$5.00
This CD provides both great music and a look into bebop as it was beginning to make its mark on the American musical scene. In addition to Dizzy and Bird, the musicians include Al Haig, Curly Russell, Max Roach, Big Sid Catlett (on two tracks), and Don Byas (on one track). The sound has been very nicely cleaned up with digital technology, the tunes (four written or co-written by Dizzy) are excellent, and the playing is superb. The photographs, most taken very close in time to the performance, are a nice bonus.

Highly recommended for both its historical importance and the quality of the music.

Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945
$17.99
This CD provides both great music and a look into bebop as it was beginning to make its mark on the American musical scene. In addition to Dizzy and Bird, the musicians include Al Haig, Curly Russell, Max Roach, Big Sid Catlett (on two tracks), and Don Byas (on one track). The sound has been very nicely cleaned up with digital technology, the tunes (four written or co-written by Dizzy) are excellent, and the playing is superb. The photographs, most taken very close in time to the performance, are a nice bonus.

Highly recommended for both its historical importance and the quality of the music.

Sonny Side Up
$18.98
This stuff is pretty new to me, but this one had me from the opening notes. I'll listen to this over and over; there' s just so much going on and it all fits together so well. A really great album!

I would also like to add a special commendation to Ray Bryant (new to me) for some really swinging piano.