Customer Reviews

An Electrifying Evening with Dizzy Gillespie

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Dizzy Gillespie was still at the height of his powers when this recording was made in February 1961. Having led the be-bop revolution with Charlie Parker, 15 years later this catches him with another fabulous band:

Leo Wright - Alto Sax & Flute
Lalo Schrifin - Piano
Bob Cunningham - Bass
Chuck Lampton - Drums

Lalo Schrifin of course is now more famous as a film score composer who wrote the themes to Mission Impossible, Dirty Harry and literally hundreds of other films. He's a great Jazz pianist as well.

The tracks are:
1. Kush
2. Salt Peanuts
3. A Night In Tunisia
4. The Mooche
5. Interview with Dizzy Gillespie

The highlight musically is "A Night in A Tunisia" which ranks as one of the best versions ever. The interview occurred on stage immediately after the concert and lasts for 18mins. Dizzy displays his usual sense of humour and is interesting to listen to. For example talking about Trumpet battles with Roy Eldridge at Mintons:

"Well it wasn't such of a battle, because I came so unarmed, it was sort of a slaughter..."

So this is great music, with a fascinating and frequently funny interview.

This is a great album, with Diz and company in top form, when Diz was at his peak. The sound quality is very good, and captures the feeling and excitment of the live performance. I've had this album since the early sixties, and it's still one of my all time favorites.

This brief album is okay; the quartet had been stronger a few months earlier with Chris White and Rudy Collins. But Lalo Shifrin and Leo Wright are up to par, as is Dizzy. The leader's opening flurry on Night In Tunisia, in one breath, is worth the price of the album. But it's very familiar music, and the sound quality is spotty. An 18-minute interview with Diz, used to pad the album, can barely be heard--and isn't worth hearing. In short, there are much better Diz recordings from this period, 1961, available.

This old bopper was smart. Come to think of it, in 1961, when Electrifying Evening was made, he was not so old, either.

Gillespi was not inrerested in free jazz or third streem or any of the emerging movements of this area. But he was not interested in recycling be-bop, either.

Dizzy made a brilliant move in getting Lalo Shifrin. This kid had a uniquie ear, and was perfect for the type of latin music Dizzy wanted to do. Shifrin emphasized the flute and the melodic aspects of the bass. He provided a perfect canvas for Gillespi's amazing inprovosation. This is latin music, but based of big melodies, dynamics and heavy bass lines. Full of life and the perfect backdrop for one of jazz's best improvisors.

You can here Dizzy whopping, shouting, having the time of his life leading the charge here, and anyone with half a heart or brain will have as much fun listening.

Amazing album

Good stuff - Dizzy's style is, as always, raw and live. Not sure why Night in Tunisia is all the rage, coz for me the piano solo in Mooche is the insanest piece of music of all time, makes me want to scream, dance, laugh and jump all at the same time.
Long live Dizzy !!

This music is some of the best jazz I've heard in a while. I wasn't all that into dizzy until I heard this and realized how he personifies modernity, and not just because these recordings are from the museum of modern art. I find this stuff every bit as mesmerizing as other 60s jazz like coltrane. I like it better than dizzy's newport disc.