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Dizzy: To Be Or Not To Bop: The Autobiography Of Dizzy Gillespie With Al Fraser
This biography of Dizzy Gillespie combines the jazz legendpoca incendiaria.
Paperback
,
552 pages
Published
January 1st 1982
by Quartet Books (UK)
(first published 1979)
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Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
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214)
This book needed an editor! Way too long.
But, many nuggets scattered here and there. He actually talks a little about the music theory (unlike Miles Davis' autobiography).
And he was a tough guy! He used his knife on several occasions to defend himself against white racists. And was clever and outspoken when confronting white power.
Always a goof ball, making inappropriate jokes, dancing like a nut on stage, falling off the stage on occasion.
He was a musician who along with Charlie Parker created ...more
But, many nuggets scattered here and there. He actually talks a little about the music theory (unlike Miles Davis' autobiography).
And he was a tough guy! He used his knife on several occasions to defend himself against white racists. And was clever and outspoken when confronting white power.
Always a goof ball, making inappropriate jokes, dancing like a nut on stage, falling off the stage on occasion.
He was a musician who along with Charlie Parker created ...more
This is a biography and autobiography in one. Stories are told by Dizzy and then retold from other famous jazz musicians points of view. It is wonderful to see how the same event is remembered differently! So this book is not just a one character biography. Anyone who studies jazz history must read this. To hear from the mouths of so many influential people is a cornucopia of insight.
Feb 09, 2008
Charles
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all jazz enthusiasts
Regarded as one of the best jazz autobiographies.
Occasionally repetitive but very interesting biography with some really technical musical aspects. My favourite aspect of the book was the racism Dizzy and his band were subjected to throughout their heyday. Worth a read for any trumpet player or jazz fan.
Less educational about the jazz movement in general than Miles' book. But it did make me love the man, Dizzy. What a talented, generous and giving individual
One of my favorite all-time autobiographies. Dizzy has more good stories than there are musical notes in "Salt Peanuts".
Dizzy rocks! This is an excellent tour of the birth of modern jazz (aka bebop)
Sep 09, 2008
Billy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Probably Quinn
Recommended to Billy by:
Isabelle Saunders
This book is kinda boring, but has WONDERFUL interviews, photographic plates.
If you're a jazz fan, especially of the bebop era, you'll want to read this.
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