Dizzy Gillespie honored with birthday mosaic Google doodle

Today's Google Doodle pays tribute to American trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie on his 93rd birthday.

Happy Birthday, Dizzy Gillespie!

Google screengrab

October 21, 2010

Jazz great Dizzy Gillespie got a very Google birthday gift this year.

The popular search engine paid tribute to Dizzy Gillespie with a colorful Google doodle mosaic. Today would have been his 93rd birthday.

Mr. Gillespie started playing piano at the age of 4. By age 12, he taught himself how to play the trombone and trumpet.

Gillespie, along with Charlie Parker, started the bebop era, which was one of the first modern jazz styles.

Gillespie's songs, such as "A Night In Tunisia," written in 1942, have influenced popular music today.

During the 1980s, Gillespie made special television appearances on 'The Cosby Show,' 'Sesame Street,' and 'The Muppets.'

This blogger's favorite jazz musicians, Miles Davis and John Coltrane, owe a certain something to the influence of Dizzy.

What beats get you hummin'? Also, what have been your favorite Google doodles? Pac-man, Wizard of Oz, Bouncy Balls?

Let us know in the comments below and enjoy this video clip of Dizzy Gillespie on 'The Muppet Show.'