One of the first re-issues from the recently 60 year old, newly revived, Savoy label is a retrospective of the works of John Birks ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie that span the years from 1945 to 1952. During this pivotal time jazz moved away from the pop swing / big band music of the era into the newer exploratory, artistic style of bop.

This collection offers the wide range of band formations (small group, big band, back-up for a blues singer and some tracks with string accompaniment) in which Gillespie chose to not only to explore, but to reach and convey a message to his audience. No matter in which formation Gillespie perform, this collection provides further evidence (as if needed) that he was a master of his instrument and a vessel of inspired music.

Particular performances of note in this three CD collection include the spirited ‘Salt Peanuts,’ a previously unissued ‘He Beeped When He Should Have Bopped,” and the atmospheric standard “Star Dust.”

This Dizzy retrospective is a wonderful package with extensive liner notes by both Dan Morganstern and Orrin Keepnews that helps to see why this will be a happy 60th birthday celebration for Savoy. A must have collection!