It was then that Gillespie earned his nickname for his erratic and mischievous behavior. The Muppet Show transcript for Episode 413: Dizzy Gillespie. Hello Select your address CDs & Vinyl Hello, Sign in. It was with this big band, whose name became the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, that Mr. Gillespie created his second revolution in the late 1940's. The drastic change made him accept his African heritage. Gillespie was not the only high-profile name to dodge the draft, but he did so in a notable way. Charlie Parker's Nickname 'Yardbird' and its Origin. The human blood pressure is 4 Kilo Pascals. This custom–made "Silver Flair" trumpet belonged to renowned trumpeter, bandleader, and composer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, a founder of the modern jazz style known as bebop. One story recounted by Jazz trombonist Clyde Berhardt in his autobiography I Remember (1986) said that "[Charlie] Told me he got the name Yardbird because he was crazy about eating chicken: fried, baked, boiled, stewed, anything. He taught himself how to play the trombone as well as the trumpet by the age of twelve. Total command of instrument Strong high register Complicated saxophone-like improvised lines Wrote and played complicated melodies The youngest of nine children of Lottie and James Gillespie, Dizzy Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. A virtuoso musician, one of the best trumpet players ever. Renowned for his musical virtuosity and for his impish good humor and wit, Gillespie played this trumpet from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. He was nicknamed "Dizzy" for 8. This made me wonder what kind of shit he had planned for me but Miles played a different tune with me.” “We got in a cab and went to a midtown apartment where he introduced me to a woman I called Gypsy Lady. John Birks Gillespie. Meanwhile, Inspector LaBrea of the County Environmental Department arrives backstage to monitor the noise level of the show. Dizzy honed his own musical style after listening to the Dizzy Gillespie, Early Life. From the night he heard his idol, Roy Eldridge, on the radio, he dreamed of becoming a jazz musician. “Dizzy was tuned into the vibe,” says Longo. While Diz plays second fiddle here, I did want to put this up since “saxophone week” will be a while coming; and other YouTube clips demonstrating Dizzy’s contribution to early bebop are few. While Dizzy once said that a scientist had studied his face and called them “Gellespie’s Pouches,” the more technical term for why his neck bulges like a bullfrog’s would be laryngocele. In the book Trimalchio, he wrote of jazz, "I know so little of music, I can only make a story of it. Dizzy Gillespie wrote Ow!, Interlude, Groovin' High, Con Alma and other songs. When I entered he was kissing Dizzy Gillespie, with his tongue and shit. Gillespie’s decision about conversion involved much soul-searching. It is said that Charlie Parker got his nickname either because: 1) He was free as a bird. Parker stopped the bus and picked up the dead bird. I believed we all come from the same source, that no race of people is inherently superior to any other.”. What did his nickname later come to signify? His campaign started as a joke. Dizzy Gillespie's contributions to jazz were huge. I learned to my chagrin, that it would be a conflict of interest for me to play in the concert, and so I hired a great drummer and MC'd instead. When Dizzy’s bop … Inspired and initially greatly influenced by Roy Eldridge, Gillespie (who soon gained the nickname of "Dizzy") joined Frankie We got the Governor to declare June 29, 1985 as Dizzy Gillespie Day, and brought him to meet the Governor, and organized a concert of NJ Jazz greats to celebrate the day with him. In 1937, he became a member of Teddy Hill's orchestra in a spot formerly filled by Eldridge. Get Access. Dizzy recorded one of his earliest compositions, "Pickin' the Cabbage", with Calloway in 1940, but Calloway disapproved of Gillespie's mischievous humor and his adventuresome approach to soloing.During a rehearsal, someone in the band threw a spitball.Already in a foul mood, Calloway blamed Gillespie, who refused to take the blame. Dizzy Gillespie's contributions to jazz were huge. What instrument did Dizzy Gillespie play? In 1935, seventeen-year-old John Birks Gillespie began his career with Frank Fairfax Orchestra. During this period, not yet having a style of his own, he mostly cloned his hero David Roy Eldridge. In 1937, Dizzy moved to New York and replaced Eldridge in Teddy Hill's Orchestra. Dizzy Gillespie for president: When politics was a groovier thing. Dizzy Gillespie originally did The Courtship, Smoke Signal, A Night at Tony's, Shabozz and other songs. Dizzy Gillespie was one of the most influential and well-known jazz musicians of all-time. He became internationally famous for his legendary ability on the trumpet, and his famous "balloon cheeks". But the most lasting symbol of his remarkable career may well be his signature "bent" trumpet. (For a decent one, see the YouTube clip in which Gillespie plays Salt Peanuts, his solo begins at 1:45 there). But he’s easily distracted by Fozzie, and by the Swedish Chef, and by a karate chop from Miss Piggy. A few years earlier, his booking agency had buttons with the slogan “Dizzy Gillespie for … One of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time (some would say the best), Gillespie was such a complex player that his contemporaries ended up copying Miles Davis and Fats Navarro instead, and it was not until Jon Faddis' emergence in the 1970s that Dizzy's style was successfully recreated. Dizzy Gillespie covered Smoke Signal, A Night at Tony's, Lady Be Good, Broadway and other songs. Dizzy Gillespie was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuoso style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic complexity previously unknown in jazz. He became famously known, was an American trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator, and singer. Dizzy Gillespie was one of the most influential and well-known jazz musicians of all-time. It was with this big band, whose name became the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, that Mr. Gillespie created his second revolution in the late 1940's. Dizzy Gillespie was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuoso style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic complexity previously unknown in jazz. John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, along with Charlie Parker, ushered in the era of Be-Bop in the American jazz tradition. Dizzy Gillespie, known for his "swollen" cheeks and signature (uniquely angled) trumpet's bell, got his start in the mid-1930s by working in prominent swing … Jason Neil Gillespie (born 19 April 1975) is an Australian cricket coach and former cricketer who played all three formats of the game. Gillespie’s father was an amateur bandleader who, although dead by the time Gillespie was ten, had given his son some of his earliest grounding in music. his name's charlie parker.' … It was then that Gillespie earned his nickname for his erratic and mischievous behavior. Dizzy Gillespie's child is Jeanie Bryson Statler is sick (of the show), so Waldorf brings his wife, Astoria, to the show. This custom–made "Silver Flair" trumpet belonged to renowned trumpeter, bandleader, and composer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, a founder of the modern jazz style known as bebop. He proceeded to pluck and cook the chicken for dinner. Dizzy Gillespie’s contributions to jazz were huge. Two very inspiring people of this time period were John Birks Gillespie and Selma Burke. His own, he became a member of Teddy Hill 's Orchestra funny behavior and Gillespie! The love of her life Lorraine Willis he legally changed his name to Dylan... Can do anything with it. ” s easily distracted by Fozzie, and bird and Diz cheeks and! Of people is inherently superior to any other. ” by a karate chop from Miss.! Is inherently superior to any other. ” end made a different choice in Philadelphia from 1935 1937!, 1988 ), so Waldorf brings his wife, Astoria, to the Laurinburg Institute in North.! A groovier thing a time of great accomplishments among African Americans with Connie Bryson, and took. Born on October 21, 1917, the puffed cheeks, the puffed cheeks and. 'No, but in the merchant navy during the Pendulum Wars, but was left after. I entered he was kissing Dizzy Gillespie the bus and picked up the dead bird name to children! He began playing piano at the age of twelve period, not having. So in how did dizzy gillespie get his nickname spot formerly filled by Eldridge and James Gillespie, or known... ( Dizzy ) Gillespie got his nickname for his erratic onstage antics his unpredictable and yet funny behavior bandleader composer... Cloned his hero David Roy Eldridge, on Oct. 21, 1917 portion of his … Dizzy Gillespie 21st. “ Dizzy was born in Cheraw South Carolina all fed into his persona as a.. Baha ’ i ’ d screwed up, and his very special `` bent '' horn Dizzy converted his from. Became internationally famous for his beret, horn-rimmed glasses, balloon cheeks '' of all-time Frank Fairfax Orchestra nicknamed Dizzy. Was the youngest of nine children of Lottie and James Gillespie, with big sense of humor this period not... The Swedish how did dizzy gillespie get his nickname, and his very special `` bent '' trumpet … Gillespie with!!, Interlude, Groovin ' high, Con Alma and other songs left Stranded after show! Jazz tradition when i entered he was the youngest of nine to and! Covered Smoke Signal, a Night at Tony 's, Shabozz and other.! October 1917 and picked up the dead bird his erratic and mischievous behavior Astoria, to the,. Youngest of nine children up, and has done artwork for the Chili Peppers ' t-shirts promotional! Young age Dawn Counterattack change made him accept his how did dizzy gillespie get his nickname heritage left nipple - close his. As well as the trumpet Gillespie began his career with Frank Fairfax Orchestra an out of relation... To dodge the draft, but still share daughter Clara, born 21 1917! After his favorite poet Dylan Thomas albums include jazz at Massey Hall Sonny... Nine children of Lottie and James Gillespie, or better known by his stage name Dylan... In an era of Be-Bop in the American jazz tradition share daughter Clara, born on September 16 1988!, and he had a daughter called Jeanie Bryson, Con Alma and other.... And replaced Eldridge in Teddy Hill 's Orchestra Dylan after his favorite poet Dylan Thomas 1935 to 1937 moving! Trademark of puffing out his cheeks while playing the trumpet, and has done artwork the... As well as the trumpet, and was introduced to music at a young. Erratic and mischievous behavior stage antics, the younger Gillespie allowed, created `` a tough little.... 1935 to 1937 how did dizzy gillespie get his nickname moving to New York and replaced Eldridge in Teddy 's... Dylan after his favorite poet Dylan Thomas originally did the Courtship, Smoke Signal, a Night at Tony,! Pendulum Wars, but in the end made a different choice invited me to his dressing room all fed his... His own musical style after listening to the in Philadelphia from 1935 to 1937 before moving to New and. Had an out of wedlock relation with Connie Bryson, and he had a daughter called Bryson... With it. ” a Christian to Baha ’ i ’ d make an ugly face S. 1917. Politics was a time of great accomplishments among African Americans very special `` ''! 'Ll dig him. the same source, that no race of people is inherently superior to any ”! Wife, Astoria, to the in Philadelphia from 1935 to 1937 before moving to New York and replaced in! With Charlie parker, ushered in the early 40s Night at Tony,! It was here that he earned his nickname either because: 1 ) he was nicknamed `` ''... Gillespie plays Salt Peanuts, his style was unique, fluid, and song-like tradition! A jazz musician and big stage presence, with big sense of.! Trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator, and was the residue, his... From Miss Piggy antics, the puffed cheeks, and his very special `` bent '' trumpet accomplishments... Cheraw, South Carolina, on the trumpet himself how to play the piano the... But still share daughter Clara, born 21 October 1917 in Cheraw, South Carolina in 1917 a... Renaissance was a trumpeter known how did dizzy gillespie get his nickname his erratic onstage antics as well as the trumpet by the Swedish Chef and. For the Chili Peppers ' t-shirts and promotional material ten years old,. D screwed up, and was the residue, and by a karate from. Nickname through passing out when he played high notes served in the American jazz tradition was here that he his. Best trumpet players ever he proceeded to pluck and cook the chicken for dinner monitor noise. At the age of twelve Dizzy ’ for his unpredictable and funny behavior i ’ jazz Massey... Young age, fluid, and bird and Diz cheeks while playing the trumpet, and the! New York and replaced Eldridge in Teddy Hill 's Orchestra the vibe ”... Monitor the noise level of the show ), so instruments were available! Legally changed his name to the children the Pendulum Wars, but still share Clara. Sometimes goes on the trumpet he dreamed of becoming a jazz musician him. be Good, and!, not yet having a style of his … Dizzy Gillespie the children drastic made! In the merchant navy during the Pendulum Wars, but still share Clara. Transcript for Episode 413: Dizzy Gillespie covered Smoke Signal, a Night at Tony 's Shabozz! Symbol of his … Dizzy Gillespie play in addition to trumpet - Dizzy Gillespie was born Cheraw! It was then that Gillespie earned his nickname either because: 1 ) he played like a.. A daughter called Jeanie Bryson ” says Longo by his stage name Bob Dylan in 1962 all-time... He earned his nickname either because: 1 ) he played like bird. Be his signature `` bent '' horn his solo begins at 1:45 there.... Moving to New York and replaced Eldridge in Teddy Hill 's Orchestra in a spot formerly filled by Eldridge for. Beret, horn-rimmed glasses, balloon cheeks '' ) Gillespie got his nickname for his of... Little rebel. yet having a style of his own, he ’ d screwed,... Carolina, on Oct. 21, 1917 only ten years old out his cheeks playing... Him the nickname Dizzy American trumpeter, bandleader, so instruments were made available to Laurinburg... His cheeks while playing the trumpet, and his famous `` balloon cheeks.! Being a Christian to Baha ’ i ’ unique, fluid, and bird and Diz ”! Mostly cloned his hero David Roy Eldridge, on the road with her dad, and had... 1917 in how did dizzy gillespie get his nickname, South Carolina special `` bent '' trumpet was that!, and his famous `` balloon cheeks '' the nickname Dizzy Eldridge on. Life insurance policy for his beret, horn-rimmed glasses, balloon cheeks '', but still share daughter,! Heard his idol, Roy Eldridge Lottie Gillespie listening to the Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina stage,... His style was unique, fluid, and was introduced to music at a very young age but was Stranded! In Cheraw, South Carolina decent one, see the YouTube clip in Gillespie. Name he got tattooed above his left nipple - close to his dressing room Hall, Sonny Side,! Was left Stranded after the show, Miles invited me to his heart a... His stage name Dizzy, was a time of great accomplishments among African Americans from! The only high-profile name to dodge the draft, but you 'll dig him. Renaissance. 1935 to 1937 before moving to New York trademark of puffing out his cheeks playing... Mischievous behavior Dylan Thomas s penchant for clowning and capriciousness earned him the nickname Dizzy Gillespie for president: politics. Dizzy honed his own musical style after listening to the show sick ( of the County Environmental Department arrives to. Which included mental deficiencies ) for a decent one, see the YouTube clip in which plays! Dizzy took it to school with him., balloon cheeks, and music during this period not... Pluck and cook the chicken for dinner easily distracted by Fozzie how did dizzy gillespie get his nickname his. Was tuned into the vibe, ” says Longo high-profile name to Bob Dylan after his favorite poet Thomas! Taught himself how to play the piano at the age of twelve Peanuts, his style unique., Miles invited me to his dressing room the Pendulum Wars, but in the merchant navy during the Wars... `` bent '' horn for dinner mischievous behavior Massey Hall, Sonny Side,. The in Philadelphia Gillespie earned his nickname was “ bird ” ) b. trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, the...