John Birks Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina in 1917. His father was a band leader who encouraged his children to learn to play musical instruments. Gillespie could play the piano by age 4 and taught himself to play the trombone. He switched to playing trumpet when he was 12.

Gillespie got his first pro gig in 1935 with the the Frank Fairfax orchestra. He got the nickname Dizzy because he liked to clown around on stage.

Here he is performing with Charlie Parker in 1952.