Dizzy Gillespie

21 October 1917 – 6 January 1993

Dizzy Gillespie was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and educator who was a key architect of bebop. Renowned for his virtuosic playing, bent trumpet, and puffed cheeks, he helped bring Afro-Cuban rhythms into jazz.

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Life events

Born in Cheraw, South Carolina
21 October 1917

Dizzy Gillespie was born John Birks Gillespie in Cheraw, South Carolina.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Moved to Philadelphia and began professional career
1935

Gillespie joined local bands and adopted the nickname 'Dizzy' for his onstage antics.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Joined Cab Calloway's orchestra
1939

Gillespie gained national exposure playing trumpet in Cab Calloway's band.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Co-created bebop with Charlie Parker
1945

Gillespie and Charlie Parker developed the harmonically and rhythmically advanced bebop style.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Pioneered Afro-Cuban jazz
1947

Gillespie collaborated with Chano Pozo, fusing Latin rhythms with bebop on works like 'Manteca'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led U.S. State Department world tours
1956

Gillespie's big band toured internationally as cultural ambassadors sponsored by the U.S. government.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Awarded Kennedy Center Honors
1990

Gillespie received the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime contributions to the arts.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Englewood, New Jersey
6 January 1993

Gillespie died of pancreatic cancer at age 75.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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