South Carolina is the birthplace of a number of famous people, including one of the world’s best jazz musicians, Dizzy Gillespie. Born John Birks Gillespie in 1917 in Cheraw, South Carolina, the jazz trumpeter, band leader, composer, singer, and educator started playing piano at just four years of age. He was the son of a local bandleader in Cheraw. After Gillespie’s father died when the boy was just 10, Dizzy Gillespie would go on to teach himself trumpet and trombone by the age of twelve. When he was 18, his family moved to Philadelphia, but Gillespie spent his childhood and teen years right here in South Carolina.

The City of Cheraw, located in the upper right quadrant of South Carolina near the North Carolina border, is very proud to honor the city as the birth place of one of the best jazz musicians in history.
Google Maps/Mark Smith
So much so, in fact, that it erected a park on the very site of Gillespie's birth. It's located at 344 Huger Street in Cheraw.
Google Maps/Daniel Sutton
In addition to his many accomplishments in the world of music, Gillespie would be invited to play at the White House by eight presidents.
Google Maps/Mark Smith
He was given the National Medal of Arts, the highest recognition any American can receive for the arts.
Wikipedia/Roland Godefroy

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Dizzy Gillespie's signature bent trumpet featured a bell that projected at a 45-degree angle from the base.
Wikipedia/Carl Van Vechten - Van Vechten Collection at Library of Congress
Gillespie maintained the bent bell was the result of an accident when two dancers fell onto it during a birthday party for Gillespie's wife Lorraine. He had the bell of that trumpet straightened, but liked the sound so much he had a special trumpet made with a bell that curved upward and he played it from that time forward.
The memorial park for Dizzy Gillespie in Cheraw features a number of metal sculptures, including a depiction of his bent trumpet.
Google Maps/David
Visitors to the small and intimate park can relax on custom park benches featuring more art related to the musician.
Google Maps/Julia S.K Henderson-Withers
It's open from dawn to dusk.
Google Maps/Erin Lambert
So did you know there's a Dizzy Gillespie park in South Carolina?
Google Maps

Have you been? If so, what’d you think? Join the discussion in the comments!

Know of another little-known attraction in South Carolina that we should feature here? Nominate it right over here!

Cheraw is one of the nine oldest towns in South Carolina. Read about all nine in: Here Are The Nine Oldest Towns In South Carolina… And They’re Loaded With History!

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344 Huger St, Cheraw, SC 29520, USA