Dizzy Gillespie

Born

October 21, 1917

Died

January 6, 1993 (aged 75)

Known as

pianist, composer, trumpeter, bandleader, conductor, jazz musician

John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator, and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity previously unheard in jazz. His combination of musicianship, showmanship, and wit made him a leading popularizer of early bebop styles. His beret and horn-rimmed spectacles, scat singing, bent horn, pouched cheeks, and light-hearted personality have made him an enduring icon.

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