Dizzy Gillespie

Benny Golson Jazz Lines Publications Octet Charts

All four of our Benny Golson octet charts as written for Dizzy Gillespie in a specially-priced compete set at over 10% off!

1957 Dizzy Gillespie recorded the album 'The Greatest Trumpet of Them All' for Verve. This session featured Dizzy Gillespie in a completely different context: an octet, featuring the arrangements of Gigi Gryce and Benny Golson. Gryce and Golson, being two of the most creative composers and arrangers of the time, were also part of the ensemble playing alto sax and tenor sax respectively. Golson had first written for and recorded with Dizzy a year earlier as a member of Gillespie's big band (notable tracks include Whisper Not, Stablemates, and I Remember Clifford). Gryce had been a member of the trumpeter's band in 1955, featured on a recording session in September 12 of that year.

Golson and Gryce's forward thinking compositions present to listeners an entirely different Dizzy Gillespie. For those used to hearing fast-paced bop licks and high register playing you're in for a real treat. These arrangements provide a wonderful backdrop for soloing and allowed Dizzy to present a warm side of his playing, seldom seen during his prior recording sessions.