Groovin' High: The Life of Dizzy Gillespie

“This well-researched and well-written biography is an indispensable source of information about Dizzy Gillespie. Thank you, Alyn Shipton!”–Thomas Owens, author of Bebop, the Music and Its Players

“Dizzy Gillespie did more than change jazz. He also challenged our most deeply held views on what a jazz musician could be and do. Alyn Shipton is the perfect writer to tackle this subject, because he too is adept at challenging the conventional wisdom. Shipton has carefully researched his subject, and writes with conviction, honesty and passion. Finally we have abook that tells the whole story of this remarkable artist and his music.” –Ted Gioia, author of The History of Jazz

“Alyn Shipton’s Groovin’ High skillfully surveys the career of John Birks ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie, a musical innovator who never turned his back on the entertainor’s role. The book leaves a fresh, vivid impression of the man and the artist whose changing place in the jazz tradition is traced over more than sixty years.” –Richard Crawford, School of Music, The University of Michigan

“Shipton has fulfilled the need for a biography rich in detail and analysis. Providing surprising and convincing insight into the development of bebop, Shipton’s depth of understanding of the birth of this vibrant movement, together with on target analysis of Gillespie’s recorded output, makes this an exceptional tribute.”–Library Journal