Dizzy Gillespie

John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed “the sound of surprise”. #

9 Quotes

  • Miles got a mysticque about him-plus he’s at the top of his profession. And he’s got way, way, way more money. ∞

  • Men have died for this music. You can’t get more serious than that. ∞

  • They’re not particular about whether you’re playing a flatted fifth or a ruptured 129th as ong as they can dance to it. ∞

  • It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play. ∞

  • How do I know why Miles walks off the stage? Why don’t you ask him? And besides, maybe we’d all like to be like Miles, and just haven’t got the guts. ∞

  • I’d like to play for you one of my compositions, my only composition. ∞

  • I don’t care much about music. What I like is sounds. ∞

  • It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play. ∞

  • I always try to teach by example and not force my ideas on a young musician. One of the reasons we’re here is to be a part of this process of exchange. ∞

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