Dizzy Gillespie

In 1955, on his report, a medical examiner wrote in the box: age, “about 53 years”. Charlie Parker nicknamed Bird just died, at 34. His death will be the ransom of a life that was not denied to the excesses or the consuming flame of genius. His wildest improvisations will open the door to future jazzmen. Between shadow and light this film will pay tribute to one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.

The Cold War and Civil Rights collide in this remarkable story of music, diplomacy and race. Beginning in 1955, when America asked its greatest jazz artists to travel the world as cultural ambassadors, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and their mixed-race band members, faced a painful dilemma: how could they represent a country that still practiced Jim Crow segregation?

7/10

This documentary recounts the life of the late composer Michel Legrand, known for his works on Les Parapluies de Cherbourg or Les Demoiselles De Rochefort with the famous director Jacques Demy.

8.8/10

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown made an outstanding and influential contribution to music. In an era when many musicians were emulating Charlie Parker’s drug abuse, Brown inspired others to achieve greatness while living a clean life. Ironically, he was killed in a car accident at the age of 25. This feature-length documentary presents a richly detailed account of Brown’s life, and examines his historical importance in the context of three criteria–innovation, influence, and individuality.

10/10

Half a century ago, Brazilian composer and musician Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim (1927-1994) introduced bossa nova to a worldwide audience with "The Girl from Ipanema." This relaxed, cool, sensuous music blended jazz and samba. After recording an album of songs by his friend Jobim, Frank Sinatra is reported to have said, "I haven't sung so quietly since I had laryngitis." Naturally, "The Girl from Ipanema" and Frank Sinatra are featured in this musical collage of countless seamlessly edited excerpts of concert footage that cover decades of events all over the world: from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon, Paris, Copenhagen, Jerusalem, Tokyo, Montreal, New York and back to Rio.

7.8/10

Originally broadcast on CBS April 11, 1976, under the title THE ORIGINAL ROMPIN' STOMPIN' HOT AND HEAVY, COOL AND GROOVE ALL-STAR JAZZ SHOW, this concert ran as part of the "Lively Arts for Young People" series. As staged at the Ed Sullivan Theater and directed by Gary Keys, it features performances by a who's-who of jazz legends who were still active at the time, including Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz. In the process, Keys also uses such elements as narration by host Dionne Warwick, and dance performances, to follow the evolution of jazz from classic American spirituals through the styles that became en vogue in the 1970s.

The Stars In Concert DVD series presents the best performances of legendary artists who have secured a well-deserved place in music history. On this DVD, youll find an anthology of Louis Armstrongs best TV performances. A great tribute to a great artist. Titles: 1. Hello Dolly 2. Ill Be Glad When Youre Dead You Rascal You 3. Muskrat Rumble 4. On The Sunny Side Of The Street 5. Nobody Knows The Trouble Ive Seen 6. Jeepers Creepers 7. Cest Si Bon 8. Now You Has Jazz/ Tiger Rag 9. Birth Of The Blues 10. I Love Jazz 11. South Rampart Street Parade 12. When Its Sleepy Time Down South 13. Just Because 14. St. Louis Blues 15. Someday 16. When The Saints Go Marching In 17. Umbrella Man

Jivin' in Be-Bop: A swinging variety show with Dizzy Gillespie and his all stars. Beware: A fundraising concert is planned to save a small southern college.

Documenting Louis Armstrong's appearance at the 1970 Newport Jazz Festival.

8.1/10

Jazz Icons: Dizzy Gilespie features two historic concerts from one of the founding fathers of bebop. Filmed 12 years apart, the 1958 concert features Dizzy working eloquently within the small combo structure of a quintet including such influential musicians as sax player Sonny Stitt and bassist Ray Brown. The second show focuses on a completely different side of Dizzy, fronting the legendary Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band. With a 16-piece big band to conduct, including two drummers, his Latin influences are revealed on "Con Alma" and "Manteca."

Improvisational jazz performance filmed in 1950 by Gjon Mili plus additional performances filmed in 1977 and 1979, with introductions by Granz and jazz critic Nat Hentoff and also includes the 1944 short Jammin' the Blues.

7.4/10

One of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time, Dizzy Gillespie dazzled the world with his talent as one of the pioneers of be-bop and Latin jazz, but with his puffed-out cheeks, bent trumpet and quick wit, he also was a great showman.

This riveting music documentary traces the history of Jazz piano legend Oscar Peterson, from his early days as Montreal's teenage Boogie-Woogie sensation through his meteoric rise to international celebrity with Norman Granz and the ground-breaking Jazz at the Philharmonic and beyond. In this award-winning autobiographical portrait, legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson narrates his story, from his beginnings in smoke-filled Montreal clubs to hallmark performances with jazz greats. Concert footage includes an unforgettable combo -- Nat King Cole with Jazz at the Philharmonic and the Oscar Peterson Trio Wall reunion. Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie are interviewed, among others. - Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Ella Fitzgerald

6.9/10

Jim is the drummer for the great black musician Billy Swann. With him, he plays in a club called San Sebastián, owned by his friend Floro, every summer.

4.3/10

Inspired by three South American myths, this film is a plea to save the tropical rain forest and its unique inhabitants.

5.5/10

In this concert, recorded live London’s Royal Festival Hall in 1989, Dizzy Gillespie performs with the magical United Nation Orchestra and a selection of jazz musicians including Slide Hampton, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Mario Rivera and Flora Purim.

A documentary on Dizzy Gillespie's landmark visit to Cuba and his performance at the Fifth International Jazz Festival in Havana, Cuba. Filmed in 1985 with Arturo Sandoval and Sayyd Abdul Al Khabyyr.

7.8/10

Didn't We Ramble On is a documentary about the tradition of marching bands in African-American culture. It focuses particularly on the historical roots of marching bands in West African culture and features narration by Dizzy Gillespie.

A 4 part documentary about jazz musician / actor Slim Gaillard with interviews, archival footage & performances.

Earth is visited by a race of aliens, who issue an ultimatum: either peace or complete destruction.

6.3/10

A documentary on the music of Miles Davis which contains concert footage from the 1986 New Orleans Jazz Festival and interviews with Miles Davis, Bill Cosby, Keith Jarrett, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Evans, George Benson, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams and Robben Lee Ford. Music includes "Human Nature", "Al Jarreau, "Blues for Pablo", "Human Nature", "So What" and "Time After Time."

Anthology of six short films, including: Dizzy Gillespie Chicken Real Cigarette Blues God Respects Us When We Work, But Loves Us When We Dance Running Around Like A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off The Sun’s Gonna Shine

The Easter special featured jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie as the Easter Bunny.[13]

7.2/10

Documentary film detailing the history of Kansas City jazz.

7.7/10

Mother Earth and Father Time converse about the choices humans make.

6.1/10

An account of the first European tour of American jazz organist Jimmy Smith and his trio in 1965, replete with backstage footage and music.

7.2/10

Two soldiers patrolling opposite sides of the border between two countries speculate on what the world would be like if there were more cooperation between individuals and nations.

6.9/10

This is Les Blank’s earliest music film, focusing on the renown trumpet player, Dizzy Gillespie, who along with Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk, Sonny Rollins and others sparked the change from traditional Jazz to “Bebop” in mid-1940s America. The film includes rare images of Gillespie playing on his famous bent horn and talking about his beginnings, as well as his theories about music.

6.9/10

Two men discuss the nature of accidents and the possibility of nuclear war.

6/10

A Hubley stand-in instructs iconic trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie on scoring a short commercial for an instant rope ladder.

6.4/10

A compilation reel of television commercials produced by Story Board Inc.

Willie Ruff, musician, composer, educator, filmmaker, and Yale School of Music alumnus was on the faculty of the Yale School of Music from 1971 until his retirement in 2017. He directed and produced this short film which follows Dizzy Gillespie and Ruff’s musical partner Dwike Mitchell on a tour of key locations in the history of bebop in New York City. Gillespie led the filmmakers to Minton’s Playhouse, Carnegie Hall, the former site of the Savoy Ballroom, and made an unannounced stop at Miles’ Davis home. (Yale Film Archive)