Cheraw in Chesterfield County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Dizzy Gillespie Birthplace
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born in a house on this site on Oct. 21, 1917. His family lived here until they moved to Philadelphia in 1935. A founder of modern jazz, Gillespie was an innovative trumpeter and bandleader known for his bent horn, bulging cheeks, sense of humor, and showmanship. In the 1950s he became a good will ambassador for the U.S. State Dept., playing concerts around the world.
Gillespie was invited to perform at the White House by eight presidents from Eisenhower to George Bush. He received the National Medal of Arts, the highest prize awarded to an American artist, in 1989 and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1990 for his lifetime contributions to American culture. Among his best-known songs were "A Night in Tunisia" and "Salt Peanuts." He died in New Jersey Jan. 6, 1993.
Erected 2001 by Pee Dee Committee, Colonial Dames of America in the State of South Carolina. (Marker Number 13-6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower , the Former U.S. Presidents: #41 George H.W. Bush, and the The Colonial Dames of America, National Society of series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 6, 2010.
Location. 34° 41.922′ N, 79° 53.574′ W. Marker is in Cheraw, South Carolina, in Chesterfield County. Marker is on Huger Street, 0.1 miles north of McDonald Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 337 Huger Street, Cheraw SC 29520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Coulter Memorial Academy Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); Francis Asbury's First Visit to S.C. (approx. ¾ mile away); Captain Mose Rogers (approx. ¾ mile away); The 71st Regiment of Foot (approx. ¾ mile away); Old St. David's (approx. ¾ mile away); Cheraw Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Pee Dee Union Baptist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Greene's Encampment / Sherman's March (approx. 2.3 miles away); Albert M. Shipp (approx. 2.3 miles away); John Lyde Wilson (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cheraw.
Also see . . .
1. Dizzy Gillespie. John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise". (Submitted on February 12, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Dizzy Gillespie's B-flat Trumpet at the Smithsonian. (Submitted on March 10, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
3. Jazz Classics: Dizzy Gillespie - A Night In Tunisia. Audio recording of Gillespie. (Submitted on February 12, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Dizzy Gillespie - "Salt Peanuts" - 1947. Video (1947) of Gillespie. (Submitted on February 12, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,653 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 7, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 6. submitted on November 18, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.