World Statesman

World Statesman is an album by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, recorded in 1956 and released on the Norgran label. The album was reissued as part of the 2CD compilation Birks Works: The Verve Big Band Sessions.

World Statesman
Studio album by Dizzy Gillespie
Released	1956
Recorded	May 18–19 and June 6, 1956 New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	40:09
Label	Norgran MGN 1084
Producer	Norman Granz
Dizzy Gillespie chronology
Modern Jazz Sextet (1956) World Statesman (1956) Dizzy in Greece (1957)

Reception

The AllMusic review states: "This set introduced the new Dizzy Gillespie big band which was making headlines for the acclaim it received (and for the excitement it caused) during its State Department-sponsored world tours... this brilliant (and historic) orchestra really shows a great deal of spirit, power and creativity."

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music

Track listing

All compositions by Dizzy Gillespie except as indicated

Side One:

1. "Dizzy's Business" (Ernie Wilkins) – 3:37
2. "Jessica's Day" (Quincy Jones) – 4:50
3. "Tour de Force" – 5:04
4. "I Can't Get Started" (Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin) – 2:55
5. "Doodlin'" (Horace Silver) – 3:56

Side Two:

1. "A Night in Tunisia" – 5:34
2. "Stella by Starlight" (Ned Washington, Victor Young) – 4:07
3. "The Champ" – 4:42
4. "My Reverie" (Larry Clinton, Claude Debussy) – 2:52
5. "Dizzy's Blues" (A. K. Salim) – 2:32

Personnel

• Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet, vocals
• Joe Gordon, Quincy Jones, Ermit V. Perry, Carl Warwick – trumpet
• Rod Levitt, Melba Liston, Frank Rehak – trombone
• Jimmy Powell, Phil Woods – alto saxophone
• Billy Mitchell, Ernie Wilkins – tenor saxophone
• Marty Flax – baritone saxophone
• Walter Davis Jr. – piano
• Nelson Boyd – bass
• Charlie Persip – drums