World Statesman Explained

World Statesman should not be confused with World Statesmen.

World Statesman
Type:	Album
Artist:	Dizzy Gillespie
Cover:	World Statesman.jpg
Released:	1956
Recorded:	May 18–19 and June 6, 1956 New York City
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	40:09
Label:	Norgran MGN 1084
Producer:	Norman Granz
Chronology:	Dizzy Gillespie
Prev Title:	Modern Jazz Sextet
Prev Year:	1956
Next Title:	Dizzy in Greece
Next Year:	1957

World Statesman is an album by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, recorded in 1956 and released on the Norgran label.^[1] The album was reissued as part of the 2CD compilation Birks Works: The Verve Big Band Sessions.^[2]

Reception

The AllMusic review states: "This set introduced the new Dizzy Gillespie big band which was making headlines for the acclaim it received (and for the excitement it caused) during its State Department-sponsored world tours... this brilliant (and historic) orchestra really shows a great deal of spirit, power and creativity."^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Dizzy Gillespie except as indicated

Side One:

1. "Dizzy's Business" (Ernie Wilkins) – 3:37
2. "Jessica's Day" (Quincy Jones) – 4:50
3. "Tour de Force" – 5:04
4. "I Can't Get Started" (Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin) – 2:55
5. "Doodlin'" (Horace Silver) – 3:56

Side Two:

1. "A Night in Tunisia" – 5:34
2. "Stella by Starlight" (Ned Washington, Victor Young) – 4:07
3. "The Champ" – 4:42
4. "My Reverie" (Larry Clinton, Claude Debussy) – 2:52
5. "Dizzy's Blues" (A. K. Salim) – 2:32

Personnel

• Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet, vocals
• Joe Gordon, Quincy Jones, Ermit V. Perry, Carl Warwick – trumpet
• Rod Levitt, Melba Liston, Frank Rehak – trombone
• Jimmy Powell, Phil Woods – alto saxophone
• Billy Mitchell, Ernie Wilkins – tenor saxophone
• Marty Flax – baritone saxophone
• Walter Davis Jr. – piano
• Nelson Boyd – bass
• Charlie Persip – drums

Notes and References

1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/dizzy-gillespie/catalog/#norgran-mgn-1084 Dizzy Gillespie discography
2. Yanow, S. Birks Works Allmusic Review accessed March 26, 2012
3. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed March 26, 2012