Dazzle Celebrates Dizzy Gillespie's 104th Birthday With Longtime Bassist John Lee

Westword’s Jon Solomon interviews John Lee, former bassist for Dizzy Gillespie’s band.

25 Days of Giveaways

Starting on Oct. 11th a new prize is given away each day for 25 days. The Giveaways kick-off and end with a Grand Prize.

The first Grand Prize is two ‘Dizzy’s Birthday 3-Day Passes’ and the final day’s Grand Prize is four tickets to DJANGO FESTIVAL ALLSTARS, 4 entrées, and a manager selected bottle of wine.

The Brilliant Compositions of Dizzy Gillespie

Wednesday Oct. 20th - 7pm

This special event kicks off our Dizzy Gillespie’s 104th birthday bash! The music will include many of Dizzy’s greatest hits including Salt Peanuts, A Night in Tunisia, BeBop, Wood and You, and more!

John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums), Anisha Rush (Alto Sax), Eric Gunnison (Piano), John Gunther (Tenor Sax), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet)

Bread & Jam

Wednesday, Oct. 20th - 9:30pm

Tonight’s session features some of Dizzy’s music!

Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience (Early)

Thursday Oct. 21st - 6:30pm

The birthday bash continues with a concert focusing on one of Dizzy’s specialties: Afro-Latin music. The performance will include tunes such as Con Alma, Manteca, Tin Tin Deo, and more!

Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience (Late)

Thursday Oct. 21st - 9pm

John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums), Anisha Rush (Alto Sax), Victor Mestas (Piano), Serafin Sanchez (Sax), Leo Corona (Percussion), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet)

Big Band Artistry of Dizzy Gillespie

Friday Oct. 22nd - 6:30pm

Join us for a night of big band music written and arranged by Dizzy Gillespie featuring bassist John Lee and drummer Tommy Campbell as well as faculty, alumni, and students from CCJA!

Trumpets: Brad Goode, Miles Lujan, Sonya Walker, Shawn Williams

Saxophones: Anisha Rush, Daryl Gott, John Gunther, Pablo Belteran, Will Swindler

Trombones: Zach Rich, Adam Bartzcak, John Matthews, Anna Panella

Rhythm Section: Eric Gunnison, Tom Amend, Max Moore (Piano), John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums)

Dizzy’s 104th Birthday Bash Jam

Friday Oct. 22nd - 9:30pm

We conclude our birthday bash with a jam session of all Dizzy Gillespie repertoire! Come and sit in with the house band!

John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet)

Koki Renwick (Trumpet), Gareth Radar (Trumpet), Shawn Applebee (Trumpet), Domi Edson (Bass), Alejandro Castano (Drums), Jack Bendure (Trombone), Max Moore (Piano)

Whitney Houston Tribute ft. Mary Louise Lee Band

Saturday Oct. 23rd - 7pm

The Mary Louise Band pays tribute to the great Whitney Houston!