In 1964, Dizzy Gillespie mounted a half-serious run for president. When asked why, his response: “Because we need one!” So on Oct. 27, KSDS is celebrating the 60th anniversary with a star-studded concert headlined by Jon Faddis and Charles McPherson. Why? Because we need one!
Just minutes after the Bill Mays Trio closed last Friday night’s Bud Powell Centennial concert with a euphoric take on Powell’s “Parisian Thoroughfare” that left us all exiting the concert hall floating at least three feet off the ground, the KSDS brain trust convened an emergency session in the atrium of The Conrad. We resolved not to rest on our laurels. The music we presented that night was too special, too magical for us to wait several months before bringing you another evening of commensurate artistry.
And so we did something that might seem counterintuitive; we turned to the upcoming presidential election for inspiration.
Sixty years ago, in 1964, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, like Bud Powell one-third of bebop’s holy trinity, launched a half-serious, half-tongue-in-cheek, campaign to become the next president of the United States. That moment, like the present, was one of high anxiety and super-charged rhetoric. But in the inherent levity of Dizzy’s campaign, there was perspective-shifting wisdom. When we need respite from those seemingly intractable things that divide us, we look to music to underscore our shared humanity. At KSDS, we believe jazz is the consummate manifestation of our better angels; we believe it amplifies the triumphs and troubles of our shared past and present; and we see it prove over and over again that individual creative expression and teamwork aren’t irreconcilable concepts, but actually better together – like the intellect and soul.
When we say we’re endorsing “Dizzy for President,” we mean we’re endorsing these ideals; these are ideals that can (or at least should) resonate across any aisle. So we thought: How can we inject the spirit of Dizzy’s campaign of 60 years ago into a contemporary discourse that so desperately needs it? How can we play some small role in bringing people together during a stressful time?
How about a concert in Diz’s honor? In honor of a campaign that many dismissed as a joke at the time, but now seems more and more prescient with each passing election cycle?
Trumpeter Jon Faddis is among Dizzy Gillespie’s most celebrated living protégés. He’ll co-lead an all-star quintet with Charles McPherson on Oct. 27, 2024 at the Handlery Hotel.
On October 27, 2024, we will present KSDS' Jazz Masters Series: A Concert to Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of ‘Dizzy for President,’ a live music spectacular starring a quintet led by trumpeter Jon Faddis, perhaps Dizzy’s most celebrated living protégé, and Charles McPherson, the legendary alto saxophonist and educator whose own contributions to the evolution of modern jazz are just downstream from those of Bird, Bud, and Diz. The only difference: Charles and Jon are with us. So much so, that they continue to cut inspiring new pathways through the music of their mentors.
Maestro McPherson pictured here playing KSDS’s Jazz Live on Aug. 8, 2023. He and Jon Faddis will co-lead an all-star quintet on Sunday evening Oct. 27, 2024 at the Handlery Hotel. Photo by Larry Redman.
If you enjoyed our Bud Powell Centennial concert, share your account of that night with anyone you know with soul and discerning tastes. And bring them with you to the Handlery Hotel on Sunday evening, Oct. 27, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of ‘Dizzy for President’ with another magical evening of music starring Jon Faddis, Charles McPherson, and their quintet.
We’ll be announcing more details — including premium seating and VIP food and beverage packages — in the coming days on the air, on the web, and via email and social media. So stay tuned!
In the interim, if you have questions that require immediate answers, email CHUCK! Chuck@jazz88.org.
We look forward to seeing you on the 27th for an evening of music, community, and bi-partisan support for Dizzy Gillespie and his enduring legacy.
With gratitude,
Matt Silver and the KSDS Membership Team
