How Dizzy Gillespie helped forge a new jazz era in America Dizzy Gillespie and his iconic trumpet -- with its turned up bell -- brought a new era of American jazz to a global audience. It's part of our 250th anniversary series America in Pursuit. How Dizzy Gillespie helped forge a new jazz era in America Dizzy Gillespie and his iconic trumpet — with its turned up bell — brought a new era of American jazz to a global audience. It's part of our 250th anniversary series America in Pursuit. MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: The signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago launched an enduring quest for life, liberty and happiness. To mark the anniversary, NPR is bringing you a series we call America in Pursuit, exploring culture, history and special objects representing American life. Here's NPR's Jennifer Ludden. JENNIFER LUDDEN, BYLINE: In a glass case at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History sits Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet.…