The Jazz Melbourne Orchestra is proud to present their debut concert ‘Gillespiana’, celebrating the music of Dizzy Gillespie. The evening will feature local trumpeter Mat Jodrell alongside a 16 piece ensemble comprised of Australia’s best musicians.

John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was a virtuosic trumpet player who was a major figure in the development of bebop. He helped bring Afro-Cuban styles to popularity within the American jazz scene and paved the way for what we now call modern jazz. This concert will feature various compositions written by Gillespie, such as ‘A Night in Tunisia’ and ‘Things to Come’ in the first set, with the band performing the entire Gillepsiana album in the second set.

Jazz Melbourne is a new arts organisation focussed on promoting large ensemble jazz through performance and education.