Outdoor Concert with Dizzy Gillespie

[dustymars]

Sometime in 1991 or early 1992 we attended an outdoor concert with Dizzy Gillespie at the Deering Estate in south Miami, Florida.  The estate is on the coast of Biscayne Bay and at that times was only 4 miles from our home in Cutler Ridge. Not sure of the exact date but it was right before hurricane Andrews blew in on August 24, 1992, so the Deering Estate was badly damaged and was not repaired before Dizzy passed away in early January 1993.

We often attended musical events around the Miami area and especially the frequent outdoor concerts.  So, we arrived early that evening and picked out a place in the grass about 100 feet from the makeshift stage on the huge estate lawn.  A local Jazz combo was opening for Dizzy and started playing when I had an urgent need for a pause for the cause, so I walked up to the estate home where a row of  a Porta Potties were and afterwards while walking back I saw a long, white limousine rolled up the drive and Dizzy stepped out. A crowd gathers and he signed autographs then looked at me, maybe 50 feet away, then he waved in my direction, so I waved back. 

He came over and we walked toward the stage and he asked me if I was to meet him as escort; I told him no but I know where the stage was and will walk with him.  On the way we chatted and I told him that my dad had taken me to a concert where he played at in Baltimore, Maryland; back in late 1943 or early 1944; Dad was working at the Martian Aircraft factory building B-26 bombers in Glenn Bernie.  During the musical interlude he took me to the stage and talked with Dizzy and, as my Dad told me, Dizzy patted me on the head. 

So Dizzy and I continued chatted and walked towards the stage when I stopped and told him here was my wife and our sitting place; he thanked me and reached over and patted me on the head. He laughed and said, ”you will remember my patting you on the head this time,” then  walked to the stage and started playing.  I did remember that time.  My story and I’m sticking to it.
 
 

[dustymars]

Doing the Net YouTube thing listening to Dizzy and Billy Eckstine, John Coltrane and other greats.  Being 80 years old I remember as a kid listening to big band, swing and Jazz at home, then before the WWII my parents lived in Maryland where my dad worked at the Martin Aircraft factory building B-26 bombers. They took me with them to night clubs and Jazz joints, I barely remember any of it now. My memories came later when they would BS about the good old days. 

My love for Jazz carried on after my teen years, and I still listen in.  There will never be music like that again. After doing our thing with rock and Blues I stared playing Jazz guitar and occasionally sat in with professional musicians.  That was years ago and to can't play due to arteritis.  The good old days.  A little of my musical bio:  http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/jbeish/My_Music.pdf