A great introduction to bebop's finest
Stumpy | LA | 07/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How best to illustrate the work of a legend, especially one so prolific as Dizzy Gillespie? Over 55 years and with 383 search results returned from a search for "Dizzy Gillespie" here at Amazon you can see how people have tried. This is definitely the collection to start with. It covers many of his fine early recordings with Teddy Hill, Cab Calloway and Billy Eckstine and offers a healthy dose of his mid-forties work. Many consider his work with Charlie Parker to be his finest and there are several gems from that era. In fact, the list of legendary performers who play along side Dizzy on this collection inlcude John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Milt Jackson, Sonny Stitt, John Lewis, Stan Getz, Charles Mingus, Kenny Clarke, Thelonious Monk, and Percy Heath (!). And that's not a list assembled by the compilers to show off. It's actually a fair sampling of folks he played with.
Dizzy also introduced the world to Latin jazz and the early representative recording "Manteca" is included here with "Cubana Be/Cubana Bop " and others. His later sixties recordings are absent but there are several from the seventies and beyond that well represent the later part of his career. Indeed the title is apt since this collection does an excellent job of surveying a lengthy tenure playing the trumpet. This 2-CD set also includes a gorgeous and informative booklet that will no doubt inspire further investigation of the man's work. Well done!"
Must Have collection
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 07/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dizzy Gillespie had a touch with His playing that puts Him alongside any other Mount Rushmore Worth Named Jazz Musician who has truly changed the game.Dizzy had a Incredible sonic Approach to the way He Played,Wrote&directed His band.I learned Afro Cuban music from listening to Him.He sponged&tired so many various styles of Music. in fact it could be argued that Dizzy Gillespie was a Founding Father to what has become known as World-Music. he covered so many bases&this Multi Disc Set showcases His Richness&Genius as a Musican,Band-Leader&overall Creative Force.from his Days starting out with Cab Calloway through his time with Charlie "Bird" Parker&Onward you saw a Man who was driven to try whatever He wanted¬ afraid of what people thought.He was a Musicians Musician."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1