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
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Red Plays the Blues (Remastered)
Jazz - Editado por Avid Entertainment el 9 ago. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Red Norvo Quintet: The Forward Look
Jazz - Editado por Blue Velvet el 13 abr. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Pretty is the Only Way to Fly
Jazz - Editado por Charlie Parker Records el 28 oct. 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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All That Jazz, Vol. 90: Mingus Meets Norvo – The Collaboration (2017 Remaster)
Tal Farlow, Charles Mingus, Red Norvo
Jazz - Editado por Jube Legends el 1 sept. 2017
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Benny Carter All Stars
Benny Carter, Nat Adderley, Red Norvo
Jazz - Editado por Universal Music AB el 1 ene. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Red Norvo's Fabulous Jam Session
Jazz - Editado por CoolNote el 1 ene. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Red Plays The Blues
Jazz - Editado por RCA - Legacy el 25 jul. 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Four Classic Albums (Dancing on the Ceiling / Red Norvo in Stereo / Red Plays the Blues / Music to Listen to Red Norvo By) [Remastered]
Jazz - Editado por Avid Entertainment el 19 ene. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Music to Listen to Red Norvo By
Jazz contemporáneo - Editado por Music Manager el 9 mar. 2023
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Red Norvo Collection 1933-60
Jazz - Editado por Fabulous el 13 abr. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1933 - 1936
Jazz - Editado por Complete Jazz Series el 27 abr. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Blues and Vanilla
The Jack Montrose Quintet, Red Norvo
Jazz - Editado por RCA - Legacy el 21 jun. 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mr. And Mrs. Swing: Red Norvo and Mildred Bailey Complete Recordings
Jazz vocal - Editado por Circadian Jazz el 20 feb. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -