Dizzy Gillespie

Bebop pioneer who, prompted by Mario Bauzá, hired Chano Pozo and recorded foundational Latin-jazz works ('Manteca', 'Cubana Be, Cubana Bop').

Dizzy Gillespie was the bebop pioneer who, prompted by his old bandmate Mario Bauzá, hired conguero Chano Pozo in 1947-48 and made Afro-Cuban jazz newly visible inside jazz itself. Their partnership produced 'Manteca' and 'Cubano Be, Cubano Bop' and helped make 'Cubop' a recognizable style. Drawing on his stature as one of jazz's towering trumpeters, he brought the music a prestige and audience it had not previously commanded.

Role

bandleader, trumpeter, composer

Era

Mambo & Cha-Cha-Cha

Genre

Afro-Cuban jazz / Cubop (Latin jazz)

Origin

Cheraw, South Carolina, United States