Born On This Day in 1917: Jazz Legend Dizzy Gillespie

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1s5CWbYyao&w=420&h=315]

Ninety-five years ago today, jazz trumpet innovator and bebop pioneer John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina.  Gillespie, who famously lead his own orchestra as well as recorded with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, is best known for his compositions “Salt Peanuts,” “Woody N’ You” and “A Night In Tunisia,” as well as popularizing Afro-Cuban jazz in the United States. Learn more about his life and music by clicking here and watch his “Manteca” above.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson