MAR 26 | Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie
Mar 26, 2025
Miner Auditorium
PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production
Please visit our calendar for all upcoming SFJAZZ shows.
Original show description below.
Oakland-born trumpet legend Jon Faddis pays tribute to his friend and mentor Dizzy Gillespie with this historic performance, his SFJAZZ debut, joined by a superb quartet.
First encountering his hero at age 12 while attending a Gillespie performance in San Francisco’s North Beach jazz enclave in 1965, Faddis was inspired to woodshed and met the bebop pioneer again at 15, jamming with him and kindling a lifelong friendship and musical partnership that lasted until Gillespie’s death in 1993.
Among the most prolific and accomplished trumpeters of the modern era, Faddis joined vibraphonist Lionel Hampton’s band at 18 and went on to work with a litany of major names including the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Charles Mingus, Oscar Peterson, George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, Grant Green, and dozens of others.
In addition to his extensive work as a sideman and session artist, Faddis has released 11 albums as a leader including the GRAMMY-winning 1998 Chesky session Remembrances and led the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band from 1992-2002, succeeded by the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York.
The trumpeter celebrated his mentor's legacy in 1987 as music director and soloist for the Dizzy Gillespie 70th Birthday Big Band and the Dizzy’s United Nation Orchestra, later directing the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars.
For this unforgettable night, Faddis will be joined by acclaimed pianist David Hazeltine, bass great Kiyoshi Kitagawa, and GRAMMY-winning drummer Dion Parson, performing a wealth of Gillespie classics including excerpts from Lalo Schifrin’s 1960 suite “Gillespiana.”
Oakland-born trumpet legend Jon Faddis pays tribute to his friend and mentor Dizzy Gillespie with this historic performance, his SFJAZZ debut, joined by a superb quartet.
SFJAZZ MAGAZINE
› Passing It Down, Paying It Forward: Jon Faddis Celebrates Dizzy Gillespie (ARTICLE)
› "Diggin' Diz": A Dizzy Gillespie Playlist, curated by SFJAZZ staff
› "Four For Diz": Jon Faddis on Dizzy Gillespie
Jon Faddis understands the range of Gillespie's style better than anyone else.
The New York Times
Jon Faddis understands the range of Gillespie's style better than anyone else.
The New York Times
Personnel
Jon Faddis trumpet
David Hazeltine piano
Kiyoshi Kitagawa bass
Dion Parson drums
Faddis consistently exemplifies an unparalleled range and dazzling technique, with a style that evokes Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Roy Eldridge
npr
Personnel
Jon Faddis trumpet
David Hazeltine piano
Kiyoshi Kitagawa bass
Dion Parson drums
Faddis consistently exemplifies an unparalleled range and dazzling technique, with a style that evokes Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Roy Eldridge
npr
Watch & Listen
Dizzy Gillespie
Birk's Works
Dizzy Gillespie/Lalo Schifrin
Blues from 'Gillespiana'
Dizzy Gillespie
Birk's Works
Dizzy Gillespie/Lalo Schifrin
Blues from 'Gillespiana'