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Dizzy Gillespie: Sittin' In

By George Harris
September 6, 2005
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Looking back in awe, it seems impossible that anyone could get such a collection of jazz giants into one studio for a recording like this, but that was the genius of Norman Granz. Using his successful Jazz at the Philharmonic formula of grouping together an all-star collection of musicians for a jam session consisting of ballad medleys and full blown swingers, Granz outdid himself on this gem by grouping together Dizzy Gillespie with the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, and Paul Gonsalves for a dream recording of '50s jazz.

With loose, lusty, and wild ensemble playing on the hard driving "Dizzy Atmosphere" and "The Way You Look Tonight," Hawkins is particularly inspired as he growls during his chorus. On the ballad medley, Getz is warm, luscious, and feathery, particularly on "Time After Time." All throughout this set, Diz is his incandescent and jovial self, and he's also quite delicate on the ballads. To hear three tenor giants in friendly dialogue and compare their styles, tones, and ideas is a dream come true for any fan of jazz. Step into this time capsule and relive a era when artists ruled the world.

Track Listing

Dizzy Atmosphere; I'm Thru With Love/Without a Word/Sweet Lorraine/Love Walked In/ September Song; On the Alamo/Stompin' at the Savoy/This Time the Dream's on Me/Time After Time/Gone With the Wind; The Way You Look Tonight.

Personnel

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet

Dizzy Gillespie: trumpet; Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, Paul Gonzalves: tenor saxophone; Wynton Kelly: piano; Wendell Marshall: bass; J.C. Heard: drums.

Album information

Title: Sittin' In | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Verve Music Group

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