Live At Singer Concert Hall 1973

For Dizzy, everything begins and ends with laughter. In the meantime, all paths are possible. That of melancholy, dance or political commitment... Dizzy is everywhere at once, always elusive, he is this explorer who, after having been one of the founders of Bebop in the 40s, will never stop experimenting, surprising and pushing back the boundaries. Proud of his African-American heritage, he knew like no one else how to confront it with other cultural horizons such as that of Latin America or Cuba. On August 25, 1973, Dizzy Gillespie came to meet the Dutch public in Laren. True to himself, he introduced his musicians in a mischievous and generous mood then launched thunderously into a Caribbean tempo that would last 19 minutes! Then, in a deep voice, Dizzy evoked his friend Martin Luther King. He dedicates “Brother K” to him, a tender ballad punctuated by flashes of storm and anger. As a conclusion, Dizzy invokes his roots: “The Blues”, where he leaves his trumpet to release all the strength and warmth of his voice. The musicians retire on a surprisingly light theme. We leave as we arrive, on tiptoe. However, we leave one certainty hanging: “Yes Dizzy, you made it”.