Dizzy Gillespie in Redondo

The pleasure of hearing great jazz musicians in the intimate confines of a nightclub is evident in this performance by Dizzy Gillespie and band, recorded in 1986 at Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach, CA, one of several now-defunct jazz venues in the Los Angeles area. Approaching 70 at the time, the trumpet master was well past his prime, but his chops are in fine form as he launches into set opener “Be Bop,” a Gillespie composition played at breakneck speed with a complex, angular melody that embodies the eponymous genre that he helped create decades earlier. The other players are no slouches either: the estimable Ray Brown on standup bass (oddly, the ensemble also features an electric bass player), fiery alto saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera, guitarist Ed Sherry, and pianist Valerie Capers. When Diz—always a jocular and entertaining host—announces that he'll introduce the musicians, they all turn and shake hands with one another. The band plays just three more complete tunes, so everyone has a chance to stretch out, particularly on “Kush” (Gillespie was also a pioneer of Afro-Cuban jazz, a style hinted at here) and “Dizzy's Made Up Blues” (exactly what the title says), while the bluesy, laidback “Birks Works” may be the most appealing tune of the set. A bit on the short side but skillfully and unobtrusively directed by Gary Keys, this engaging concert—presented in Dolby Digital stereo—is recommended. (S. Graham)