"...he is the greatest living jazz musician."-Leonard Feather, JAZZTIMES, March 1990 A living legend, Dizzy Gillespie helped give birth to the Bebop era with his composition "A Night in Tunisia." Dizzy wrote a list of jazz standards "that is staggering in its impact," and he was "by far the most influential trumpeter in the world" wrote Leonard Feather, the oted jazz critic who also appears in this film. MUSICAL WORLD STATESMAN In 1956, Dizzy was the first jazz musician ever selected by The State Department for an international goodwill tour. More than 30 years later, he is still spreading his musical diplomacy. He received worldwide media coverage and acclaim as American Ambassador of music and good will at four special peace concerts in Moscow, East Berlin, Prague and Warsaw. V.I.E.W. Video is proud to present this historic film which begins with Dizzy and his band in rehearsal. Dizzy shows and tells about the magic moment in 1942 when he composed the title song, introducing Afro-Cuban rhythms to the mainstream of American jazz, and breaking new musical ground for bass players. A dynamic live concert performance highlights Dizzy's unique talents as we become a video witness to the birth of bop.
RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS
-Honored with a Grammy Award.
-Received his 14th Honorary Doctoral Degree.
-Awarded The National Medal of Arts by The President of The United States of America
SPREADING HIS MUSICAL JOY
Last year Dizzy:
-Gave over 300 performances in 27 countries on 5 continents.
-Headlined 3 concert TV specials, recorded tour albums and performed with two symphony orchestras.
-Starred in "A Night in Havana," an honored documentary/ performance film.
