January 27, 2009

By By Ed Christman, N.Y.

EMI Music Publishing has reached a long-term deal to extend its representation of songs from the catalog of legendary American jazz trumpeter and composer Dizzy Gillespie.

EMI Music Publishing has represented songs in Gillespie's catalog since 1999. Works written by Gillespie, including 'Tour De Force', 'Kush', 'Swing Low Sweet Cadillac', 'Con Alma' and 'Lorraine', will be managed by EMI on a global basis.

"Dizzy Gillespie was a virtuoso trumpet player, and a remarkable songwriter, EMI Music Publishing chairman/CEO Roger Faxon said in a statement. "His music still impacts every trumpeter that has followed him, and it is an honor to continue to represent such an important catalog of timeless jazz classics."

Gillespie, who was born in 1917 and passed away in 1993, played with numerous orchestras and bands including those of Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Lucky Millinder and Duke Ellington. Along with Charlie Parker, he was central to the development of the bebop sound in the 1950s, and entire generations of trumpet players are influenced by his work to this day.

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