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With his captivating stage presence and mind-blowing talent, Dizzy Gillespie makes for a fabulous addition to the Monterey series. Much like Louis Armstrong’s contribution to the series, there’s a good deal of lighthearted banter amongst the band which lends a warm, friendly element to the mix.
“Trinidad Goodbye” makes for a perfect opener. It’s a nice long, enthusiastic jam with a good deal of playful sparring between the wind and rhythm sections. Gillespie dedicates the sultry ballad “Day After” to the legendary Billie Holiday. This track features Dizzy’s magnificent trumpet stylings laced with some gorgeous piano work by Kenny Barron. “Poor Joe” is bursting with a steamy energy that will force you to dance with its Afro-Cuban rhythms, delightful vocals and magnificent mix of instrumentals including James Moody wailing on the flute. “A Night in Tunisia” is an upbeat, stellar jam that gives everyone a chance to shine. It opens with some crazy bass work, slides into a catchy riff featuring trumpet and flute until Dizzy steals the spotlight for a while before stepping aside for a gorgeous bass solo by Christopher White. “Ungawa” features plenty of smooth trumpet work and a spectacular and unstinting solo on congas by Big Black. It all closes out with a stellar interpretation of the dynamic classic, “Chega De Saudade (No More Blues).”
This is a fine collection of upbeat, danceable jazz classics by one of history’s most legendary artists.
