Dizzy Gillespie Albums (100)
'Soul and Salvation'
Release Date 8/21/2006
Tracks 10
Label Pony Canyon
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Toronto Massey Hall 53'
Release Date 11/27/2002
Tracks 12
Label Past Perfect
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Live at the Royal Festival Hall 1987'
Release Date 7/11/2000
Tracks 7
Label BBC
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Dizzy Gillespie Meets the Phil Woods Quintet'
Release Date 1/1/2000
Tracks 5
Label Timeless
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
As the greatest musical heir on alto sax to Charlie Parker, it seemed only natural for Phil Woods to record a date with Dizzy Gillespie. This European studio session features Dizzy as a special guest sitting in with one of Woods' greatest quintets, with pianist Hal Galper and the brilliant trumpeter and flugelhornist Tom Harrell. In fact Dizzy's chops had already slipped somewhat during the decade and Harrell clearly outplays him even though he clearly isn't trying to embarrass the legendary trumpeter. Gillespie is at his best with a muted solo on "'Round Midnight," while Woods, Harrell and Galper are all outstanding throughout the entire CD. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Dizzy in South America: Official U.S. State Department Tour, 1956, Vol. 1'
Release Date 9/7/1999
Tracks 10
Label Cap
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
In 1999, jazz collectors were thrilled to learn that Consolidated Artists Productions (CAP) was putting out a three-volume series focusing on Dizzy Gillespie's 1956 tour of South America. The recordings from that State Department-sponsored tour, which were made by Gillespie's friend Dave Usher, had remained in the can for 43 years and were being released commercially for the first time. In 1956, touring Latin America with a big band was something that most beboppers could only dream of, but thanks to the State Department's support, it became a reality for Gillespie and his sidemen. Vol. 1 finds the brassy trumpeter in fine form on hot-blooded versions of "Manteca," "A Night in Tunisia" and "Cool Breeze" as well as lyrical arrangements of "I Can't Get Started" and "Stella By Starlight." The big band that Gillespie leads is quite cohesive, and his support includes, among others, Quincy Jones on trumpet (Jones served as the tour's musical director), Phil Woods and Jimmy Powell on alto sax, Benny Golson and Billy Mitchell on tenor sax, Melba Liston on trombone, Walter Davis, Jr. on piano, Nelson Boyd on bass and Charlie Persip on drums. Austin Cromer, an obscure but gifted vocalist along the lines of Billy Eckstine and Al Hibbler, joins the band on "Flamingo" and "Seems Like You Just Don't Care." While the sound quality is decent by 1956 standards, CAP's liner notes aren't perfect--they don't give an exact recording date or the specific country and venue. But all things considered, Vol. 1 will definitely be of great interest to collectors. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It was an open secret that by the 1980s, Dizzy Gillespie was well past his playing prime. A very likable and humorous entertainer and still an expert scat singer, his trumpet playing had unfortunately greatly declined, and in 1984, at the time of this misfire, he was soon to turn age 67. This set of commercial material (with guest spots by Stevie Wonder, tenor saxophonist Branford Marsalis and bassist Marcus Miller) is quite forgettable -- throwaway funk tunes with the parts of the sidemen sounding as if they were phoned in. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
