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.
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."
Track listing
All compositions by Dizzy Gillespie except as indicated
Side One: "Dizzy's Business" (Ernie Wilkins) – 3:37 "Jessica's Day" (Quincy Jones) – 4:50 "Tour de Force" – 5:04 "I Can't Get Started" (Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin) – 2:55 "Doodlin'" (Horace Silver) – 3:56 Side Two: "A Night in Tunisia" – 5:34 "Stella by Starlight" (Ned Washington, Victor Young) – 4:07 "The Champ" – 4:42 "My Reverie" (Larry Clinton, Claude Debussy) – 2:52 "Dizzy's Blues" (A. K. Salim) – 2:32