Groovin' High: The Life of Dizzy Gillespie

by Alyn Shipton

Book Overview

Dizzy Gillespie was one of the most important and best-loved musicians in jazz history. With his horn-rimmed glasses, goatee, jive talk, and upraised trumpet bell, he was the hipster who most personified bebop. The musical heir to Louis Armstrong, he created the modern jazz trumpet-playing style and dazzled aficionados and popular audiences alike for over 50 years.

In this first full biography, Alyn Shipton covers all aspects of Dizzy's remarkable...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195091329
• ISBN13: 9780195091328
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Highly readable, painstakingly researched, bio of jazz giant

It was quite interesting to read about the life Gillespie had outside of what most people knew about, i.e. his daughter Jeanie Bryson. I commend Shipton for having the courage to discuss such a touchy subject. He attempts to strike a balance between Dizzy's private and professional life. Two thumbs up!!

Highly readable, painstakingly researched bio of jazz giant

Shipton's book is the first to reveal the relationship with Connie Bryson and the existence of their daughter, singer Jeanie Bryson. He handles this bombshell with delicacy and restraint. If the Kirkus reviewer felt that this wonderful biography "disappoints", we loved it!

Highly readable, painstakingly researched bio of jazz giant

Shipton's biography of Gillespie is the first to reveal that the famously married Dizzy had a child out of wedlock. Rather than make this titillating tidbit the focus of his book, Shipton chose to keep the focus on the man and his music, where it belongs. A fine book about a wonderful man.