Biography

Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) is one of the most influential musicians and trumpet players in jazz history. He, along with Charlie Parker, is credited as being one of the founders of the bebop. Gillespie also had a significant role in fusing Afro-Cuban music with jazz which resulted resulted in the Afro-Latin jazz movement. Dizzy is known for his fast, articulate bebop lines, playing with puffed up cheeks, and playing a custom trumpet with the bell coming up at a 45 degree angle.