Tonight we celebrate what would have been the 96th Birthday of one of the great innovators of 20th Century music....John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie. This recording is one of Dizzy's finest and it features an all-star band. Gillespie is the catalyst here and he even pushes his own limitless boundries in an incredibly inspired performance. Sonny Stitt is heard on alto saxophone only and like Gillespie is in intense and inspired form. John Lewis like Stitt had worked with Gillespie in their formative years in the 1940's and Lewis' playing is more outgoing than his performances with his Modern Jazz Quartet. The underrated Clifton "Skeeter" Best is on guitar in a tasteful role with a few fine solos and mostly rhythm playing. Percy Heath is a tower of strength on bass and like Lewis was a member of The Modern Jazz Quartet. Charlie Persip was Dizzy's favourite drummer at this time (1956). He drives the band with intelligence and taste. Only five tunes make up this date including a ballad medley that features Stitt, Dizzy and Lewis. 42' and 48" of classic Jazz played by six giants and innovators. The Modern Jazz Sextet lives up to it's name in every way. Happy Birthday Mr. Gillespie!

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