“The Proclamation” – Mike Longo Funk Band Live from The John Birds Gillespie Auditorium – 2009

Mike Longo, a former protege of Oscar Peterson, is probably best known for his long association with Dizzy Gillespie as his pianist and musical director composing much of Dizzy’s repertoire in the late 60s through the 70s. Here the Funk Ensemble is featured on the Longo composition and arrangement “The Proclamation” From the LP “Talk With The Spirits” which was produced by Dizzy Gillespie for the Pablo Record label in 1976. This film was recorded on August 4th, 2009 from the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium in New York’s Baha’i center. The theater was named after Dizzy Gillespie who was a member of the Baha’i Faith. Enjoy!