John Birk's Life and Accomplishments

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Dizzy Gillespie

John Birks, also known as “Dizzy Gillespie” was born October 21,1917. He grew up in Cheraw, South Carolina. Gillespie was the youngest of his nine siblings. Gillespie’s father was a bandleader as well as a bricklayer. His father died when he was only ten years of age. Several years after his father passed away Dizzy Gillespie became a self-taught trombone and trumpet player (“David”). His skills increased so much over time that he later learned how to play the cornet. Gillespie had a special talent for playing these instruments. He was enrolled into the Laurinburg Institute of North Carolina in 1932. The school told him that they wanted him to play for their band. During his time at the school, he practiced his instruments mostly by himself.

In 1935, Gillespie decided to shift his focus from school to family. He moved to Philadelphia with his family and joined a group whose leader was Frankie Fairfax. Charlie Shavers was also a part of the band. “Shavers knew many of the trumpet solos of Roy Eldridge, and Gillespie learned them by copying Shavers (he had previously known only a handful of phrases by Eldridge, the man who became his early role model). While he was in Fairfax's band, Gillespie's clownish behavior earned him the nickname he has carried ever since” (“Dizzy Gillespie”).

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Eventually in 1937, Dizzy Gillespie decided to head out to New York to carry out his dream of becoming a famous jazz player. During his time at New York he talked with many different bands and earned a job with Teddy Hill’s band. Hill was very impressed with Gillespie’s unique playing style. The group went on a tour from Great Britain to France shortly after Gillespie had joined the band. After getting back from the tour G...

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...ians and was a pioneer. He was a hard worker and diligent musician. Although he struggled with alcohol, he didn’t let it overpower him. He was a champion. Dizzy Gillespie will be forever remembered not only by his talents as a musician but also by his perseverance during the struggles of his life.

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Works Cited

David , Hemphill. American Popular Music: A Multicultural History. 1st edition. 2005. Print.

"Dizzy Gillespie ." John Birks (1917-1993) Trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. .

“Dizzy Gillespie is born.” 2014. The History Channel website. Mar 24 2014, 9:17 .

"Dizzy Gillespie – Jazz and Blues Masters ." american jazz musician . b 1917 . d 1993. .

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