Biography
Red Norvo, born Kenneth Norville on March 31, 1908, in Beardstown, Illinois, began his musical career as a pianist before switching to xylophone and marimba as a teenager. In 1925, he toured with the marimba band The Collegians and gained early experience playing xylophone with the orchestras of Paul Ash and Ben Bernie. By the early 1930s, Norvo had established himself as a pioneering jazz xylophonist, recording innovative sessions for Brunswick in 1933, including 'Dance of the Octopus' and Bix Beiderbecke's 'In a Mist,' which showcased early chamber jazz elements.
In 1935, Norvo formed a sextet at the Famous Door club in New York, later expanding into a swing orchestra that lasted until 1942, uniquely led by a xylophonist and featuring advanced arrangements by Eddie Sauter. Married to vocalist Mildred Bailey, they were billed as 'Mr. and Mrs. Swing,' recording for labels like Decca and ARC, with hits such as 'Please Be Kind.' Norvo switched to vibraphone around 1943, joining Woody Herman's First Herd and the Benny Goodman Sextet. In 1949, he formed an innovative piano-less trio with Tal Farlow on guitar and Charles Mingus on bass, which influenced modern jazz through its exploration of tempo and harmony; Mingus was later replaced by Red Mitchell, and Farlow by Jimmy Raney.
Norvo continued performing and recording into the 1980s, including a 1959 Australian tour with Frank Sinatra and appearances on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show. A stroke in the mid-1980s led to retirement, and he died on April 6, 1999, in Santa Monica, California, at age 91, leaving a legacy as 'Mr. Swing' for establishing xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone in jazz.
Fun Facts
- Norvo's 1933 recording of 'Dance of the Octopus' and 'In a Mist' so displeased Brunswick director Jack Kapp that he tore up Norvo's contract, but they are now considered unique chamber jazz classics.
- His 1949 trio was piano-less, featuring vibes, guitar, and bass—a novel combination that launched Tal Farlow and Charles Mingus into prominence.
- In 1945, Norvo gambled by recording with bebop pioneers Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in Benny Goodman's group, embracing jazz's evolution despite initial resistance from his generation.
- Norvo's sextet was the only swing-era big band led by a xylophonist, known for its light, subtle swing sound.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Paul Ash - early orchestra experience playing xylophone (orchestra tours) [1920s]
- Ben Bernie - early orchestra experience playing xylophone (orchestra tours) [1920s]
Key Collaborators
- Mildred Bailey - wife and vocalist in swing orchestra, billed as Mr. and Mrs. Swing (Red Norvo Orchestra recordings like 'Please Be Kind' and 'Says My Heart') [1936-1938]
- Eddie Sauter - arranger and mellophone player in early septet/sextet ('Gramercy Square' and 'Decca Stomp') [1935-1936]
- Tal Farlow - guitarist in innovative piano-less trio (Savoy Records albums) [1949-1953]
- Charles Mingus - bassist in piano-less trio, developed virtuoso style (Savoy Records albums) [1949-1951]
- Benny Goodman - member of Goodman Sextet, recorded together (1945 Comet Records session with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie)
- Woody Herman - soloist and co-leader in First Herd ('Father’s Mustache' session) [1945-1946]
- Frank Sinatra - accompanied on Australian tour (live recordings released by Blue Note in 1997)
Artists Influenced
- Tal Farlow - developed as significant guitarist through trio's demands on tempo and harmony (Norvo trio recordings) [1949-1953]
- Charles Mingus - advanced bass career via virtuoso playing in trio (Savoy Records albums like 'Prelude to a Kiss') [1949-1951]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Red Norvo and His Swing Sextette has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.