Anyone with an ear for truly supreme music had better pay attention. Jazz legend John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie is on his way to perform in DeKalb.

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Campus Activities Board, Gillespie will be working his magic on stage Sept. 21 at the Egyptian Theater as part of CAB’s Fine Arts Series.

Some remember Gillespie for the interesting way in which he plays his trumpet. His cheeks and throat fill up with air, and the gesture resembles that of a bullfrog. However, Gillespie’s sound is far more pleasant to the ear.

Perhaps others remember Gillespie as being one of the creators of a musical style developed back in the 1940s known as “the be-bop” or simply “the bop.”

Others most surely recognize Gillespie’s original shaped trumpet with its bell section pointed upward.

In August of 1988 Gannett Westchester Newspapers ran an article on Gillespie recounting the legend of Gillespie’s odd shaped instrument.

Legend has it in 1954, on the eve of a birthday party for Gillespie’s wife Lorraine, his trumpet was accidentally knocked off the bandstand.

The instrument had become misshapen as a result of the fall and the bell section was now pointed upward. Gillespie felt the newly shaped instrument produced a sound he liked better.

As a result, all of Gillespie’s trumpets are now custom made in that shape.

It is Gillespie’s amusing sense of humor that makes him an excellent showman as well as a truly legendary musician.

His career spans well over 50 years, and in that time Gillespie’s jazz with its international flavor has come to symbolize what jazz is all about for music fans and many non-music fans alike.

It is possible some may not be familiar with Gillespie or his famous music. However, Gillespie addressed this issue while being interviewed by The Washington Post.

The Washington Post article quoted Gillespie as saying, “It’s possible people might know me and not my music. But, when I let my jaws go, the whole world knows.”

It seems safe to say Gillespie’s performance is going to be more than a succes, promising entertainment that fans as well as non-fans will enjoy.

Unfortunatlely, Gillespie is only performing one show on Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. at the Egyptian Theater.

Tickets went on sale Sept. 7, and cost $5 for NIU students, $8 for senior citizens and $12 for the general public. Special rates are available for children.

For tickets or other information call the box office at 753-3146