Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, “Complete Jazz at Massey Hall,” May 15, 1953, from archive.org
Don Perdue, “Wolf Trap Salutes Dizzy Gillespie,” June 1987 (264.1988)
Don Perdue’s wonderful portrait of Gillespie is from the “25 From Thirteen” portfolio. The portfolio features photos made during rehearsals, behind the scenes, and on the sets of many popular WNET/Thirteen public television programs. (WNET/Thirteen is New York and New Jersey non-commercial and educational public television station.) It was included in a exhibition at ICP: 25 From Thirteen, Photographs by Don Perdue, May 5 – June 12, 1988. (The music Gillespie made from around 1945 to 1953, the birth of Be-Bop, its full flowering, and the collaborations with Charlie Parker, is some of the best music ever made.)
“The Hole,” by John and Faith Hubley, with improvised dialogue between Dizzy Gillespie and George Matthews, from archive.org
October 21, 2017 marks the centennial of the birth of Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993).