Dizzy Gillespie in Paris: The Story Behind the Double Six

What?! Bebop… in French? In this episode of To Be or Not to Bop, I take a deep dive into Dizzy Gillespie’s The Double Six of Paris — a record that captures bebop in an international moment, with Paris as the backdrop. I actually recorded this episode on Dizzy Gillespie’s birthday, which felt like the perfect excuse to spend some time with the record and with Dizzy the man. This episode is about the music, but it’s also about who Dizzy was — his sound, his humor, his generosity, and his role as one of jazz’s great ambassadors. This wasn’t the first time Dizzy brought bebop to Paris, but it’s a powerful snapshot of how deeply the music had already traveled — and how naturally it spoke across cultures. And yes… I do briefly address the important question: Am I related to Dizzy? 😄 (Jury’s still out.) If you love jazz history, important records, and the stories behind the music, you’re in the right place. ➡️ If you’re enjoying the show and want to support the work, donations are welcome below. https://ko-fi.com/tobeornottobop