Dizzie Gillespie represents a significant chapter in the story of jazz in his own right. The major proponent of be-bop with Charlie Parker in the '40's, he has worked with all of the very best and fostered the careers of many young musicians who would go on to make their mark. The brilliant trumpeter and leader is also a first-class showman who never fails to add a disarmingly human touch to his programs with stories says as much about his own generous nature as they do about others. This year, he's brought along the Dizzie Gillespie United Nation Superband, a ten-member big band* that includes a number of musicians who have already appeared at the Festival with their own groups.
* Including Canadian multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger Moe Koffman.