Personnel: Dizzy Gillespie (vocals, trumpet, rhythm stick); Bobby McFerrin (vocals); Paquito D'Rivera (alto saxophone, clarinet); Jackie McLean, Antonio Hart (alto saxophone); Benny Golson, Clifford Jordan, David Sanchez (tenor saxophone); Danilo Perez (piano); George Mraz (bass); Lewis Nash, Kenny Washington (drums).
Recorded live at The Blue Note, New York, New York from January 23-25, 1992. Includes liner notes by Donald Elfman.
To Bird with Love: Live at the Blue Note was taken from a month that Dizzy Gillespie was featured at the Blue Note in New York, virtually at the end of his playing career, the 74-year-old trumpeter is quite erratic on this set of bop standards. However, his supporting cast (heard from in different combinations) includes such major players as altoists Jackie McLean, Antonio Hart and Paquito D'Rivera and tenors Benny Golson, Clifford Jordan and David Sanchez, in addition to a strong trio led by pianist Dan?lo Perez. The sidemen are in generally fine form and Bobby McFerrin literally came out of the audience to scat on "Oo Pa Pa Da." The good spirits and obvious love that these musicians had for Gillespie make up for his technical lapses. ~ Scott Yanow
Professional Reviews
JazzTimes (Jan.-Feb./93, p.68) - "...Inspired by the presence of their bebop guru, it's no surprise that everyone is in top form....there are enough moments of musical brilliance to send most trumpeters back to the woodshed..."
Audio Magazine (2/93, p.97) - "...Diz may not emphasize the stratospheric notes of his youth, but he still swings madly, communicating as much joyous glee as ever..."
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