Background
Gillespie, Dizzy was born on October 21, 1917 in Cheraw, South Carolina, United States. Son of James and Lottie (Poe) Gillespie.
Gillespie, Dizzy was born on October 21, 1917 in Cheraw, South Carolina, United States. Son of James and Lottie (Poe) Gillespie.
Student, Laurinburg (North Carolina) Institute, 1933-1935; Doctor of Music (honorary), Rutgers University, 1970; honorary degree, New School for Social Research, 1987.
Jazz trumpet player, 1930-1993. Played with Frankie Fairfax Band Philadelphia, 1935-1937. Republican culture tour to Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Greece and Son of America United States Department State, 1956-1958.
Married Lorraine Willis, May 9, 1940.