City Designates Dizzy Gillespie's Home In Corona As Official Landmark

QUEENS — The residence of the renowned jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in Corona is officially considered a city landmark after a community push started over seven years ago.

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission voted on Tuesday to designate the building located at 105-19 37th Ave. as a landmark.

The vote comes after the Corona East Elmhurst Historical Preservation Society launched a petition in 2015 to begin the process of landmarking the home of jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie.

The three-story home in Corona housed Gillespie from 1953 until about 1965, stationing the legendary musician near the home of Louis Armstrong.

Two other buildings connected to jazz musicians were also designated as landmarks on Tuesday, including the longtime home of jazz pioneers Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington and Noble Lee Sissle in Washington Heights, as well as Harlem’s Hotel Cecil & Minton’s Playhouse Building.

John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, born in 1917, supposedly organized rehearsals in the basement studio of his residence, where he congregated many jazz musicians.

Gillespie is best known as the co-founder of the jazz style bepop with Charles Parker. Some of his best hits include “Groovin’ High,” “Salt Peanuts” and “A Night in Tunisia.”