Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) was an American trumpeter, bandleader and composer, one of the founders of bebop. His virtuosity, harmonic daring and rhythmic imagination helped reshape modern jazz.

In the Pristine catalogue he appears in the 1953 Massey Hall concert with Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus and Max Roach.

Gillespie’s playing was brilliant, explosive and witty, combining astonishing technique with rhythmic imagination and a deep command of Afro-Cuban elements.

His influence reaches across jazz trumpet, composition and bandleading. Gillespie made modern jazz sound airborne, angular and grinning at once.