In 1999, jazz collectors were thrilled to learn that Consolidated Artists Productions (CAP) was putting out a three-volume series focusing on Dizzy Gillespie's 1956 tour of South America. The recordings from that State Department-sponsored tour, which were made by Gillespie's friend Dave Usher, had remained in the can for 43 years and were being released commercially for the first time. In 1956, touring Latin America with a big band was something that most beboppers could only dream of, but thanks to the State Department's support, it became a reality for Gillespie and his sidemen.
Dizzy Gillespie (tp & leader), Quincy Jones, Bama Warwick, E. V. Perry (tp), Phil Woods, Jimmy Powell (as), Benny Golson, Billy Mitchell (ts), Marty Flax (bar), Melba Liston, Frank Rehak, Rod Levitt (tb), Walter Davis Jr. (p), Nelson Boyd (b), Charlie Persip (d), Austin Cromer (vcl)
Recorded in 1956
Dizzy In South America, Vol. 1
01. Cool Breeze [8:39]
02. Groovin' For Nat [3:23]
03. I Can't Get Started [3:47]
04. Jessica's Day [4:37]
05. A Night In Tunisia [9:33]
06. Seems Like You Just Don't Care [3:35]
07. Flamingo [4:21]
08. Stella By Starlight [4:39]
09. School Days [6:20]
10. Manteca [7:54]
Dizzy In South America, Vol. 2
01. Groovin' High [5:53]
02. Begin the Beguine [4:45]
03. Hey Pete, Let's Eat More Meat [14:57]
04. Wonder Why [4:17]
05. Because Of You [4:38]
06. I'm Confessin' [4:20]
07. Doodlin' [4:25]
08. My Reverie [3:23]
09. Tin Tin Daeo [4:44]
10. The Champ [6:43]
Dizzy In South America, Vol. 3
CD 1
01. Yesterdays [4:11]
02. Night In Tunisia [8:51]
03. Cepao's Samba [11:49]
04. Gloria Samba [2:44.]
05. Adios Muchachos [3:40]
06. Preludio No. 3 [4:00]
07. Capricio de Amor [3:43]
08. Vida Mia [3:53]
09. Dizzy 1956 Introduction [0:10]
10. Dizzie Interview [9:47]
11. Jones Introduction [0:05]
12. Quincy Jones Interview [7:14]
13. Woods Introduction [0:04]
14. Phil Woods Interview [15:13]
CD 2
01. Mitchell, Persip, Frazier Introduction [0:18]
02. Billy Mitchell, Charlie Persip, Boo Frazier Interview [31:54]
03. Golson, Levitt Introduction [0:14]
04. Benny Golson, Rod Levitt Interview [31:33]
05. Lalo Introduction [0:06]
06. Lalo Schifrin Interview [9:23]