submitted on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 00:05 in Mike Longo Portfolio by jamx 
Mike Longo
In 1966, Dizzy Gillespie first heard Mike Longo at the piano, and the next day hired him as the pianist for the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet. Mike began writing material for the group, and Dizzy eventually appointed Mike as his musical director. Mike was commissioned by Gillespie in 1986 to compose a piece for a full symphony orchestra which was performed by Gillespie in 1993. Since that time, Mike has recorded several albums and CD’s with some 45 recordings with various artists including Gillespie. At present, Mike has 19 solo albums to his credit. Performing with Mike are Jimmy Owens, trumpet master, Paul West, bass, and Charli Persip, drums. Appearing as a professional jazz musician for over 50 years, jazz bassist Paul West played with Dizzy Gillespie and has also performed and recorded with artists including Ray Charles, Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday. Drummer Charli Persip toured and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie's big and small bands. He continues to record as a leader and a sideman with today's most prominent figures in jazz and has been one of the most in-demand drummers in all of jazz.
