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Dizzy Gillespie recorded 2 tunes, "Dynamo A" and "Dynamo B", for Dial in Feb. 5, 1946. Actually, both are 2 takes of what we know now as "Dizzy Atmosphere". On a radio broadcast from Band Box in Mar. 30, 1953, asked by Leonard Feather, Charlie Parker explained like "It(Dynamo A) wasn't 'Dizzy Atmosphere'. It's not the same record at all. This is a thing they recorded in Los Angeles quite a few years ago, it's a satire of the tune 'Lover'..." and played what we know now as "Diggin' Diz" as an example of "Dynamo A" (unfortunately he didn't play "Dynamo B"!). So I guess Bird thought "Diggin' Diz" was the real "Dynamo A". Then, I wonder what was the real "Dynamo B". The Feb. 5, 1946 session produced 8 tunes -- "Confirmation", "Diggin' Diz", "Dynamo A & B" (2 takes of "Dizzy Atmosphere"), 2 takes of "When I grow Too Old To Dream" and 2 takes of "'Round Midnight". So my best guess is "Dynamo B" was actually the working title of "Confirmation". How do you think? Is there any other recording of "Dynamo B"?

I have been trying to verify the first release of “Diggin' Diz" with Dizzy Gillespie (tp) Charlie Parker (as) Lucky Thompson (ts) George Handy (p) Arvin Garrison (g) Ray Brown (b) Stan Levey (d) that has an uneven history in jazz discographies. Most claim that is was released on Dial 1004. All of the versions of Dial 1004 that I have listened to are “Diggin' For Diz” that was recorded on the second Dial date, February 7, 1946, with different personnel. The same discographies note that it was also released on Dial LP 207 and Spotlight SPJ-101. I wondered if any forum members own any of the above releases and could verify if “Diggin' Diz” is on a version of Dial 1004, Dial LP 207, or Spotlight SPJ-101? Geoff Wheeler conducted extensive research on Dial. He states on page 120 of his magnum opus on Dial that the date of the first recording session was February 4, 1946, as verified in the Ross Russell Collection.

Hey all, a new Night Lights is up for online listening, profiling the early-period jazz recordings of "Mission: Impossible" composer Lalo Schifrin. It includes two selections from his recordings as a member of Dizzy Gillespie's group, music from his collaborations with Bob Brookmeyer and Paul Horn, and some of his leader dates as well: Jazz Mission Possible: Lalo Schifrin's Early Years

Last week's Night Lights show, Diggin' Diz: A Musical Portrait of Dizzy Gillespie in the 1940s, put together in honor of the Gillespie centennial, is now archived for online listening. The program includes the rare 1944 broadcast of Gillespie and bassist Oscar Pettiford's quintet performing "A Night In Tunisia."