Dizzy Stops By To Say Hi

It was 1991 and I was playing happy hour in the atrium at the Omni hotel in downtown Austin.  A beautiful space and my jazz piano music wafted thru the interior space of this delightful hotel. I had been playing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Dizzy Gillespie, the legendary jazz trumpet and father of bebop jazz. He said "That sounds great, kid!" and I couldn't believe my eyes!

Dizzy Gillespie

Just behind him his tour bus was unloading, and his entire big band was checking in to hotel rooms. Dizzy said, "Keep it goin'!" One of my favorite tunes by Dizzy is Con Alma so I played it. Much to my surprise one of the guys pulled out his flute and played with me. Soon several guys sat down in the bar to listen.  We got to talking and they were playing that night at the Paramount.

I didn't know that Dizzy was suffering and this was his last tour.  Dizzy passed on January 6, 1993. I was so lucky to have personally met this icon, and his warmth and outgoing nature really impressed me.

Thanks, Dizzy!

from my NEA grant, I created this Artist Video Portrait on Dizzy, narrated by NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern