Writer Dave Usher here reflects on his long time relationship with Dizzy Gillespie, from the trumpeter’s early days with the Dee Gee label up to his final days succumbing to cancer. This intimate and personal book gives great insight into the music, heart and soul of Gillespie, with chapters about his US sponsored tours through South America, his Baha’I faith, his visits to the White House to meet Presidents Carter and Bush I, and even his “run” for the presidency himself. There are some wonderful insights here, as well as quotes from Diz such as “It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play.” This book does a great job filling a lot of gaps in appreciation of Gillespie’s music as well as his reason for living.
Red Anchor Productions