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
Artistas semelhantes
-
Magic Winter Sounds
Jazz - Lançado por 69 digital em 18/12/2018
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Spider's Web (All Tracks Remastered, Ep)
Jazz - Lançado por Hit Singles Records em 03/06/2021
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Guitar Town Music
Jazz - Lançado por GTM restart rec. em 08/06/2020
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rooftop Storys
Jazz - Lançado por golden times em 10/07/2018
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Red Norvo Trio, Vol. 2
Miscellaneous - Lançado por Ancien Prodige em 21/03/2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Through The Area
Jazz - Lançado por Belle Wood em 27/09/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Up And Down
Jazz - Lançado por cappo digital em 27/09/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Happy Sounds
Jazz - Lançado por Belle Wood em 12/08/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In The Wild West
Jazz - Lançado por Belle Wood em 12/08/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Enjoy Your Time
Jazz - Lançado por cappo digital em 07/06/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Art Collection
Jazz - Lançado por golden times em 09/07/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In That Golden Summer Time
Jazz - Lançado por golden times em 06/07/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Gaudy Colours
Jazz - Lançado por cappo digital em 22/04/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
As Light As Straw
Jazz - Lançado por cappo digital em 22/02/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bitter And Sweet
Jazz - Lançado por Belle Wood em 28/01/2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Id Like To Hear That Song Again
Jazz - Lançado por wonderful music em 28/10/2016
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Get Faster
Jazz - Lançado por cappo digital em 16/04/2016
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Expensive Bling
Jazz - Lançado por cappo digital em 21/04/2016
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo