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Dizzy Gillespie, Music, and the Baha’i Faith

Jennifer Campbell | Nov 5, 2016

The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith.

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Jennifer Campbell | Nov 5, 2016

The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith.

…music, sung or played, is spiritual food for soul and heart. The musician’s art is among those arts worthy of the highest praise, and it moveth the hearts of all… – Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 112.

Within the New York City Baha’i Center sits the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium, dedicated to the late jazz great, affectionately referred to as “Dizzy” due to his playful on-stage antics. Of course, many folks will remember his trumpeting skills; some might recall his mischievous humor; and still others may fondly think of his famous bent trumpet and puffy cheeks. People may also know of his numerous awards and accolades. However, perhaps not as many may know that this trumpet virtuoso and famous bebop musician was a Baha’i:

Becoming a Baha’i changed my life in every way and gave me a new concept of the relationship between God and man—between man and his fellow man—man and his family… I became more spiritually aware, and when you’re spiritually aware, that will be reflected in what you do… The [Baha’i] writings gave me new insight on what the plan is—God’s plan—for this time, the truth of the oneness of God, the truth of the oneness of the prophets, the truth of the oneness of mankind. – Dizzy Gillespie, To Be or not to Bop, p. 474.

John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie

John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie

Born in South Carolina, John Birks Gillespie was the youngest of nine children. He began learning piano at the tender age of four, when many of us were playing at the park, and not quite ready for school. As his father was in a band, he was around many instruments as a child. By the age of 12, Dizzy had taught himself to play the trumpet. His high-caliber talents eventually earned him a musical scholarship to the Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina.

This gifted young man went on to create remarkable music. In addition to playing the trumpet, Dizzy was also a scat singer and composer, an innovator and an improviser.

Watching YouTube videos of his performances alongside other musicians, demonstrating his fantastic horn techniques, showcasing his charming demeanor, and using his characteristic bent trumpet were not only entertaining, but inspiring. But his musical prowess only reveals one mere facet of this talented man; he was also a spiritual being, attracted to the writings of Baha’u’llah—the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith.

The William Sears’ book Thief in the Night—a great book that reads like a mystery novel and encourages independent investigation of reality—impacted Dizzy’s soul and led him to the Baha’i Faith. Learning about the spiritual side of this musical genius reminded me how music can cheer our hearts, and take our minds off our worries and sadness. Music is an art form that truly can “moveth the hearts.” I’ve felt this power firsthand when I’ve struggled through challenging times—times when listening to an upbeat song helped take my mind off my pain.

Music is, in fact, so vital to all of us that Baha’u’llah discusses this topic in his book of laws:

We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion. – The Most Holy Book, p. 38. 

Isn’t that a lovely analogy? Thinking of music as a “ladder for [our] souls” provides a mental picture of that spiritual ladder quite literally lifting us off the ground. In other words, music helps connect us to the ethereal side of ourselves, and lets us forget about worldly matters. 

In yet another excerpt from the Baha’i writings, music is used as an important metaphor for teaching us about unity in diversity:

The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. – Abdu’l-BahaParis Talks, p. 53.

This quote from the Baha’i teachings is a particular favorite of mine, and I’m sure many people can relate to its gentle reminder that, despite our superficial physical differences, we are all one human race, and we should be loved and appreciated for the uniqueness of our individuality. When united, different musical notes create a beautiful song, just as different human personalities, ethnicities, sizes and shapes create our beautiful global human family.

The life of this jazz legend, and the importance of music to our spiritual existence, cannot be solely contained within the confines of this short article. The legacy of Dizzy’s music will endure for future generations to enjoy. His timeless songs, and the joyfulness of his music will continue on, inspiring, uplifting and feeding our souls. 

I hope this essay will encourage readers to learn more about Dizzy’s life, listen to his music, and delve deeper into the Faith he followed.

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Comments

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  • Regan Roy
    Jan 26, 2018
    -
    Dizzy Gillespie (Rip) frequented the National Bahá'í Center in Lima, Peru during his brief stay in the city when he was on one of his many international tours. My good friends, Enrique, Nicolas and Mónica Sánchez Camacho, have a beautiful photo of Dizzy sitting with local friends at the National Center, decked out in his bahá'í tee shirt, a big smile from ear to ear, and that special Dizzy twinkle in his eyes. Dizzy died in New Jersey, age 73, only months after the successful celebration of the 2nd Bahá'í World Congress, held in NYC in November, 1992.
  • May 27, 2017
    -
    I was a dorm student at an Air Force/USAID high school in Ankara, Turkey. To keep us teenagers amused or at least occupied, we occasionally had contests in the dorm. One question during one of the contests was something like "Who was the jazz player with the horn bell that pointed up at an angle?"
    I knew the answer because even as a high school teen, I was a jazz fan...and I was not yet a Baha'i; that would come decades later. I won the competition that day.
  • Dorothy Longo
    Nov 6, 2016
    -
    Correction to my post below. We have just completed our 13th year of jazz shows. We started on January 6, 2004, so we plan to begin our 14th year in 2017.
    With warmest regards,
    Dottie Longo
  • Dorothy Longo
    Nov 6, 2016
    -
    Jennifer, my husband Mike Longo has spearheaded the Jazz Tuesdays shows for 14 years and we obtained permission from Dizzy's wife Lorraine to actually name the Auditorium the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium, to which she gladly consented. Thank you so much for your article. If you have an opportunity to visit on a Tuesday night, please introduce yourself to Mike and me. We are almost finished our 14th year, but the 2017 schedule will be posted in January on www.jazzbeat.com under "Shows and events". With loving gratitude. Dottie Longo
    • Arthur Winner
      Nov 9, 2016
      -
      Hi Brent,
      I don't know the first thing about trumpets but I had the good fortune to hear Dizzy play at Ronnie Scott in London back in the early seventies. I remember his trumpet faced heaven and his cheeks filled with air like sails on a ship.
      Arthur, UK
    • Brent Stobbs
      Nov 7, 2016
      -
      Dottie (and Mike),
      When I gave you a jazz book I had no idea how involved you two were with Manhattan's jazz scene, or that Mike has written more jazz books than I have read! LOL. Dizzy is one of the best known names in the business and your involvement is amazing. What kind of trumpet did Dizzy usually play? ( I have 150+ horns, ,including Los Angeles Olds (Ambassadors, Supers, even a Mendez, etc., early NY Vincent Bach Strad, late Strad, Doc Severinsen Goetzen , plenty of tubas and baritones, trombones, ...double bell euphoniums (King, Conn, Buescher,..) Played Rockefeller Center Tubachristmas twice, Boston once, + Columbus every year.
      Hope all is well.
      Brent S*****
      MFHS 1966.
      Army 68 -70, MP,
      OU BBA72, Capital Law J,D, 1989,
      Read more...
  • Robert Harcourt
    Nov 5, 2016
    -
    Thank you, Jennifer, for a refreshing and enjoyable article. Dizzy is wonderful, and it is such a joy that he was attracted to the Bahá'í Faith. I wish he could still be here to play at one of our gatherings.
  • Steve Eaton
    Nov 5, 2016
    -
    Thanks, Jennifer!
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