mjzee Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 In 1993, my friend Dizzy Gillespie invited me to join him on one of the jazz cruises where musicians perform and hang out with jazz-struck passengers. I had interviewed him before, but this would be in a more extensive and varied setting. Suddenly Dizzy canceled the trip, entering New Jersey's Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, where he had previously been a patient. There, dying of pancreatic cancer, Dizzy, who had health insurance, said to Francis Forte, his oncologist, and himself a jazz guitarist: "I can't give you any money, but I can let you use my name. Promise you'll help musicians less fortunate than I am." That was the Dizzy I knew, regarded by his sidemen as a teacher and mentor. From that conversation began the Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund and the Dizzy Gillespie Cancer Institute at the hospital. By now more than a thousand jazz musicians unable to pay have received a full range of medical and surgical care by Dr. Forte and a network of more than 50 physicians in various specialties, financed by the hospital and donations. More here: Dizzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Thanks. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 An article that all of us should read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazaro Vega Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I was on that cruise. Had a chance to interview Clifford Jordan who left us soon after. Also recorded interviews with Milt Hinton, Doc Cheatham, Leonard Feather, Jackie McLean, Charlie Persip and Randy Weston. That was a bittersweat sail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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