Booking 2023

All Stars 4-8 piece ensemble

“OH MAN, THEY ARE SO GOOD IT’S JUST RIDICULOUS… ” – ARETHA FRANKLIN

​

The All Stars perform as an ensemble of 6-8, and the program material is based on the music of the 40s and 50s. This includes  tunes such as “A Night In Tunisia”, “Anthropology”, “BeBop”, “Birks Works”, “Blue ‘N’ Boogie”, “Con Alma”, “Dizzy Atmosphere”, “Groovin’ High” “Hot House”, “Oop-Pop-Sh’-Bam”, “Ow”, “Salt Peanuts” and many others.

​

The line-up varies depending on availability, but usually includes some of the stellar body of musicians who used to work with Dizzy, plus some of the best and brightest young up-and-comers of the next generation of jazz. Previous line-ups have included John Lee, Cyrus Chestnut, Lewis Nash, Antonio Hart and Roy Hargrove.

​

Big Band 14-16 piece ensemble

​

HISTORY HAS PRODUCED ITS SHARE OF GREAT ARTISTS AND GREAT PEOPLE—JOHN BIRKS “DIZZY” GILLESPIE WAS BOTH. – PATRICE LEE

​

The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band is the direct descendant of these ventures and happily, the tradition lives on, nurtured by Gillespie alumnus, executive director and producer, bassist John Lee.  Together they continue to delight audiences around the world with the enduring power and freshness of Dizzy Gillespie’s music. This is the legacy the master would have wanted—and a living tribute from the many extraordinary musicians in this group who exemplify his style, range, and commitment.

​

Afro Latin Experience 6-7 piece ensemble

​

“IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT THE DIZZY GILLESPIE AFRO-LATIN EXPERIENCE HAS A REPERTOIRE BROADER THAN ITS NAME SUGGESTS… GILLESPIE’S MULTIFACETED LEGACY SHOULD SHINE BRIGHT.” – THE WASHINGTON POST

​

The musicians are drawn from the high-calibre pool of New York-based talent that frequent the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band and All Star groups, such as trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, Brazilian pianist / vocalist Abelita Mateus, drummer Tommy Campbell and percussionist Roger Squitero. They perform with energy, verve, and style, putting their own fresh stamp on a well-known genre. The group can perform as various sizes from sextet to octet.