Red Norvo
Red Norvo was an unusual star during the swing era, playing jazz xylophone. After he switched to vibes in 1943, Norvo had a quieter yet no-less fluent style than Lionel Hampton. Although no match for Hampton popularity-wise, Norvo and his wife, singer Mildred Bailey, did become known as "Mr. and Mrs. Swing."
Red Norvo had a long and interesting career. He started on marimba when he was 14 and soon switched to xylophone. Active in vaudeville in the late '20s as a tap dancer, Norvo joined Paul Whiteman's orchestra in the early '30s (meeting and marrying Mildred Bailey). He recorded some extraordinary sides in the early to mid-'30s that showed off his virtuosity and imagination; two numbers (the atmospheric "Dance of the Octopus" and "In a Mist") had Benny Goodman playing bass clarinet, remarkably. Norvo led his own band during 1936-1944 which, with its Eddie Sauter arrangements (particularly in the early days), had a unique ensemble sound that made it possible for one to hear the leader's xylophone. In 1944, Norvo (who by then had switched permanently to vibes) broke up his band and joined Benny Goodman's Sextet. Through recordings and appearances, he showed that his style was quite adaptable and open to bop. Norvo welcomed Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie to a 1945 record date, was part of Woody Herman's riotous first Herd in 1946, and recorded with Stan Hasselgard in 1948. At the beginning of the 1950s, Norvo put together an unusual trio with guitarist Tal Farlow (later Jimmy Raney) and bassist Charles Mingus (later Red Mitchell). The light yet often speedy unisons and telepathic interplay by the musicians was quite memorable. Norvo led larger groups later in the decade, had reunions with Benny Goodman, and made many fine recordings. The 1960s found Red Norvo adopting a lower profile after he had a serious ear operation in 1961. He worked with the Newport All-Stars later in the decade, and from the mid-'70s to the mid-'80s was once again quite active, making several excellent recordings. However, his hearing eventually worsened and a serious stroke put Red Norvo out of action altogether after 55 years of music. He died on April 6, 1999, at the age of 91.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Artistes similaires
-
All-Star Groups Vol. 1 (1933-37)
Jazz - Paru chez Documents le 1 sept. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Music to Listen to Red Norvo By (Remastered)
Jazz - Paru chez Avid Entertainment le 9 mars 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Improvisations: The Essential Keynote Collection 8
Jazz - Paru chez Verve Reissues le 25 avr. 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1937 - 1938
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1939 - 1943
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1938 - 1939
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
1940s V-Disc Collection
Jazz - Paru chez Master Classics Records le 1 avr. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dance Of The Octopus
Jazz - Paru chez Hep Records le 19 mai 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1950 - 1951
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Complete Jazz Series 1936 - 1937
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Subtle Sextology
Red Norvo, Red Norvo Quintet, Red Norvo All Star Sextet, Stan Hasselgard, Smorgasbirds
Pop - Paru chez Beat Repeat le 1 nov. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Red Norvo in Stereo (Remastered)
Jazz - Paru chez Avid Entertainment le 26 janv. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1945 - 1947
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1944 - 1945
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1943 - 1944
Jazz - Paru chez Complete Jazz Series le 27 avr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Disciples of Jazz, Vol. 17
Red Norvo, Terry Gibbs, Eric Dolphy
Jazz - Paru chez 21-Music le 10 oct. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
At the Xylophone
Jazz - Paru chez Shellac Revival le 28 sept. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Early Red Norvo Trio (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Paru chez Circadian Jazz le 20 févr. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Night And Day
Jazz - Paru chez Beat Machine Records le 23 oct. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classics In Jazz
Jazz - Paru chez Blue Pie Records USA le 6 juil. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo