Released: 1999 | Formats: CD & Digital
Dizzy Gillespie in South America Vol 2
$9.97 – $14.97
Dizzy In South America, Vol. 2
01. Groovin’ High [5:53]
02. Begin the Beguine [4:45]
03. Hey Pete, Let’s Eat More Meat [14:57]
04. Wonder Why [4:17]
05. Because Of You [4:38]
06. I’m Confessin’ [4:20]
07. Doodlin’ [4:25]
08. My Reverie [3:23]
09. Tin Tin Daeo [4:44]
10. The Champ [6:43]
The second of 3 Volumes of Previously Never Released Dizzy Gillespie. Already In the line up of nominations for The Grammy’s “The best historical recording” for 1999. In 1956, Dizzy was asked by the State Department to assemble a big band to tour South America.
These recordings were done live throughout the tour with great success. These recordings represent a pinnacle in Dizzy Gillespies’ remarkable career as Band Leader and Trumpet Icon.
– Ira Gitler
Dizzy Gillespie:
Leader and Trumpet
Quincy Jones, Bama Warwick, and E.V. Perry: Trumpet
Phil Woods and Jimmy Powell: Alto Sax
Benny Golson, Billy Mitchell: Tenor Sax
Marty Flax: Baritone Sax
Melba Liston, Frank Rehak, and Rod Levitt: Trombone
Austin Cromer: Vocals
Walter Davis Jr.:Piano
Nelson Boyd: Bass
Charlie Persip: Drums
About “Dizzy Gillespie In South America Vol 2”
Vol. 2 is a CD that collectors and Dizzy Gillespie fans will be glad to get their hands on. No serious Gillespie aficionado could resist
hearing previously unreleased live performances of “Tin Tin Deo,” “The Champ,” and “Groovin’ High,” especially when the sound quality
is decent (by 1956 standards) and the band boasts such heavyweights as Phil Woods (alto sax), Benny Golson (tenor sax), Jimmy Powell (alto sax), Walter Davis, Jr. (piano), and the tour’s musical director Quincy Jones (trumpet). Gillespie has many inspired moments on trumpet, and featured vocalist Austin Cromer provides some memorable crooning on “Because of You” and “Wonder Why.” Those who complain that bop has no sense of humor should pay close attention to Gillespie’s vocals on the goofy yet swinging “Hey Pete, Let’s Eat More Meat” and the hilarious Louis Armstrong parody “I’m Confessin’.”
When Gillespie emulates Armstrong’s style of singing, he isn’t ridiculing the seminal trumpeter/vocalist, but rather, flattering him out of reverence and adulation — in fact, critic Ira Gitler states in the liner notes that Armstrong was reported to have been quite amused by Gillespie’s parody. Also noteworthy are Melba Liston’s lyrical trombone solo on “My Reverie” and baritone saxman Marty Flax’s funky spot on Horace Silver’s “Doodlin’.”
Alex Henderson
