Dizzy Gillespie

Birth Name:

John Birks Gillespie

Birth Place:

Cheraw, South Carolina, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Music department, Actor

In 1989, he received the National Medal of the Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts
In 1982, he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame
Playing piano since the age of four, he studied at the Laurinburg Institute
Was well known for his involvement with Afro-Latin music
Was widely recognized for his swollen cheeks as a trumpeter
Performed a trumpet solo on the Stevie Wonder song "Do I Do․"
Spent two years as a member of the Cab Calloway Orchestra

Fast Facts