Happy Birthday Dizzy Gillespie 10-21-1917

(photo by Herman Leonard, 1948)

Trumpeter and musical prophet John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born on October 21,1917

Dizzy Gillespie By David Stone Martin

This incredible Dizzy Gillespie LP entitled Afro, features The Manteca Suite, written by Cuban Genius Chico O’Farrill, and a beautiful cover art by David Stone Martin.
Click Here To Listen & Order CD

Mel Torme Digs Dizzy

Hollywood, California- Mel Torme and model June Bright diggin’ the modern sounds of Dizzy Gillespie (in mirror). This pic was taken by legendary photographer Allan Grant in 1948.

Rare Chano Pozo

I just found this rare photo of Chano Pozo, playing his conga backstage with Dizzy Gillespie. Chano’s legacy is one of mythical proportions, and I couldn’t believe it when I found this rare, unseen photo. For decades his music was difficult to find, until 2001, when a three CD box set was finally released (Chano Pozo-El Tambor De Cuba), containing thousands of dollars worth of rare records, along with a nice thick booklet of pics, bio, etc.

Rare Nat King Cole Photo

This rare photo of Nat Cole came from the scrapbook of my guitar teacher John Collins. John was Nat’s guitarist from 1951-1965 and also played with Art Tatum, Billie Holiday, Slam Stewart, Dizzy Gillespie, and many other pioneers of swing & bebop. This photo was taken while on tour in 1959 and is a rare glimpse of a very informal Nat Cole behind the scenes.