March 01, 2025
Diggin' Diz: A Dizzy Gillespie Playlist
Curated by the SFJAZZ Staff
In anticipation of Jon Faddis’ tribute to Dizzy Gillespie at SFJAZZ on March 26th, 2025, SFJAZZ staff put together a playlist of gems from Dizzy’s expansive catalog.
Dizzy Gillespie (Photo: William Gottlieb)
In anticipation of Jon Faddis’ tribute to Dizzy Gillespie at SFJAZZ on March 26th, 2025, SFJAZZ Staff put together a playlist of gems from Dizzy’s expansive catalog. On this playlist you will hear a crystallization of the bebop language, hard hitting funk, the Latin influenced sides of Dizzy and more.
"Incantation" from Free Ride (1977)
One of the many standout collaborative efforts by Dizzy Gillespie and composer, arranger and pianist Lalo Schifrin, this cosmic jazz-funk groover was featured on the 1977 Pablo Records release Free Ride.
"Manteca" from The Source (1973)
One of Dizzy Gillespie's all-time classic compositions, this 13-plus minute version is a Latin jazz dance classic, and is the opening track on the 1973 album, The Source.
"Kush" from Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac (1967)
Nearly 16-minutes in length, this epic track, which is dedicated to "Mother Africa," was recorded live in 1967 at Memory Lane in Los Angeles and closes out Dizzy's iconic Impulse! album Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac.
"Olinga" from Bahaina (1975)
The closing track from Dizzy's mid-70s double album focused on Brazilian rhythms, "Olinga" is an atmospheric and beautifully realized track that veers between open “sound-scaping” and powerful ensemble playing.
"Caravan" from Afro (1955)
There are, of course, many recordings of "Caravan," but this one stands out for a superlative solo by Dizzy and a particularly well-oiled band, along with the gorgeous flute playing of the groundbreaking Cuban composer and musician Gilberto Valdés.
"A Night in Tunisia" from An Electrifying Evening with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet (1961)
This live version of the all-time classic is notable for a fantastic band in peak form and a trumpet break by Dizzy that is among his greatest on record.
"Cool Breeze" from Dizzy Gillespie at Newport (1957)
Dizzy's large ensemble is absolutely on fire with this version of the Dizzy and Tadd Dameron tune, showcasing a masterful band at the top of their game.
"Tin Tin Deo"
Co-written with percussionist Chano Pozo in the late '40s, this recording stands alongside "Manteca" as one of the most foundational songs in the Latin Jazz tradition.
"On The Sunny Side Of The Street"
The opening track of Sonny Side Up, which featured Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt, an album that arguably crystalizes the bebop language better than any recording out there. Don't sleep on Dizzy's singing at the end either!
"Desafinado"
After a decade or so of establishing and popularizing Latin Jazz, Dizzy branched out to the Brazilian songbook. Dizzy's take on this 1959 bossa nova classic composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim is a standout!
"Stomped and Wasted"
A gritty propulsive funk-jazz tune. The guitar from this song was sampled by J Dilla and Madlib for an incredible funk collage of a beat called "The Official", off of their collaboration album Champion Sound.