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Dizzy Gillespie: Odyssey 1945-1952

By Charlie B. Dahan
July 15, 2002
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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!

Track Listing

64 tracks including: Salt Peanuts Shaw 'Nuff Hot House Dizzy's Boogie He Beeped When He Should Have Bopped Things to Come For Hecklers Only Boppin the Blues Interlude in C Bopsie's Blues Caravan Star Dust They Cant Take That Away from Me

Personnel

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet

Dizzy Gillespie Dexter Gordon Charlie Parker Sarah Vaughan Steve Jordan Oscar Pettiford Kenny Clarke Milt Jackson Sonny Stitt James Moody Hank Jones John Coltrane J.J. Johnson Art Blakey and many others

Album information

Title: Odyssey 1945-1952 | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Savoy Jazz

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