Dizzy on the French Riviera

by Dizzy Gillespie

Overview

Some of Dizzy Gillespie's best and most well-known material from the '60s with a truly talented band is included on this set of recordings done in France. A group of American expatriates and Europeans -- really musicians from all over the world -- accompany the trumpeter for music that spans bop, Brazilian sounds, and originals. Argentine pianist Lalo Schifrin plays piano and contributes the arrangements, and Leo Wright is Gillespie's main foil on flute and alto sax, while Hungarian Elek Bacsik plays guitar in subtle ways that reflect the overall style of the sounds inspired by the French Riviera. A classic, stretched-out take of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "No More Blues" kicks off the set, with the sound of kids on an ocean beach leading to Gillespie and Wright trading halves of the melody line as playful as the children in a perfectly played bossa. Another Jobim standard, "Desafinado," has Wright's bright flute and the muted trumpet of Diz in a more pensive but still hopeful romantic mood. "I Waited for You" is the ultimate languid, laying-in-wait ballad, with Schifrin's refrains cuing the trumpeter's procrastinations, while "Long, Long Summer" is the pianist's ode to a sullen affair with ultraviolet light -- cool shades included -- in a swinging and modal approach. "For the Gypsies," penned by the leader, has Bacsik more up-front rhythmically, as Wright's mysterious flute contrasts with Gillespie's sharply precise notes in a sneaky quick bossa rhythm. Also written by Dizzy, "Here It Is" is as memorable a tune as he ever did, a signature strutting shuffle jazz/blues that exemplifies the joy in life always present in his music. That all of the participants are extremely talented and can mix and match with Gillespie beautifully makes this an album that should appeal universally to all jazz lovers, and especially his biggest fans. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Product Details

Release Date:	05/05/2023
Label:	Destination Moon
UPC:	8055515234770
Rank:	39447

Tracks

1. No More Blues (Chega De Saudade)
2. Long, Long Summer
3. I Waited for You
4. Desafinado
5. Here T'Is
6. Pau De Araba
7. Olé

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dizzy Gillespie   Primary Artist,Vocals,Trumpet
Tzigane Elek Bacsik   Primary Artist
Chris White   Primary Artist,Bass
Lalo Schifrin   Primary Artist,Piano
Rudy Collins   Primary Artist,Drums
Leo Wright   Primary Artist,Flute,Vocals,Sax (Alto)
Pepito Riestria   Primary Artist,Percussion
Ruby Collins   Drums
Charlie Ventura   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Elek Bacsik   Guitar

Technical Credits

Luiz Gonzaga   Composer
Gil Fuller   Composer
Harry Weinger   Reissue Supervisor
Antonio Carlos Jobim   Composer
Lalo Schifrin   Arranger,Composer
Sidney Keith Russell   Composer
Hollis King   Art Direction
Isabelle Wong   Design
Newton Mendonca   Composer
Andy Kman   Production Coordination
Guio Morais   Composer
Kevin Reeves   Mastering
Dizzy Gillespie   Composer
Vinicius de Moraes   Composer