Red Norvo's All Star Sextet

Biography

Red Norvo, born Kenneth Norville on March 31, 1908, in Beardstown, Illinois, began his musical journey early, receiving piano instruction as a child and selling his pet pony to buy his first marimba. He started playing professionally at age 17 in Chicago with his marimba ensemble, the Collegians, later joining Paul Ash's orchestra where he adopted the stage name Red Norvo due to the leader's mispronunciation of his name. Norvo performed as a solo vaudeville act, incorporating tap-dancing, and worked with bands like Paul Whiteman's before releasing his first records as a leader in 1933, showcasing his xylophone prowess on tracks like 'In a Mist' and 'Dance of the Octopus'.[1][2][5][7]

Norvo's career evolved through the swing era, leading small groups at New York's Hickory House and Famous Door in 1934-35, then expanding to a 12-piece orchestra with his wife, vocalist Mildred Bailey, from 1936-40, featuring innovative arrangements by Eddie Sauter that blended subtle swing with forward-looking timbres. He switched permanently to vibraphone around 1944, joining Benny Goodman's sextet and later Woody Herman's band in 1946. In 1949, he formed a landmark trio with guitarist Tal Farlow and bassist Charles Mingus, emphasizing light, speedy unisons and improvisational interplay, which is remembered as one of jazz's finest small groups.[1][2][3][4]

Norvo's later career involved freelance work, extensive touring including Europe with Goodman in 1959 and George Wein's groups, and performances in Las Vegas alongside Frank Sinatra. Despite personal challenges like hearing loss requiring surgery in 1968 and the death of his second wife Eve Rogers in 1972, he returned in 1974 as a solo act, continuing to perform into the 1980s with albums like 'Vibes a la Red' (1974) and 'Swing Reunion' (1985), solidifying his legacy as 'Mr. Swing' and a pioneer of jazz vibraphone.[1][3][6]

Fun Facts

• Norvo sold his pet pony to buy his first marimba as a youth.[5]
• His stage name 'Red Norvo' came from Paul Ash mispronouncing 'Kenneth Norville'.[1]
• In 1945, his Selected Sextet with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie recorded sessions regarded by critics as helping commence the bebop era.[4]
• Norvo performed with 60% hearing in one ear for much of his career and returned after surgery and personal loss in 1974.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Paul Ash - Early bandleader who gave him his stage name and professional start (Paul Ash orchestra) [1920s]

Key Collaborators

• Mildred Bailey - Wife and vocalist in his expanded orchestra (12-piece swing orchestra recordings for ARC/Brunswick/Vocalion/Columbia) [1936-1942]
• Eddie Sauter - Arranger who shaped the sound of Norvo's groups (Octet and 12-piece orchestra arrangements) [c. 1935-1940s]
• Tal Farlow - Guitarist in prototype trio (Savoy Records albums) [1949-1953]
• Charles Mingus - Bassist in prototype trio (Savoy Records albums) [1949-1951]
• Benny Goodman - Sextet and big band member, later tours (Benny Goodman Sextet recordings and 1959 Europe tour) [1944-1945, 1959]
• Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie - Guest stars in Selected Sextet (Hallelujah, Get Happy, Slam Slam Blues, Congo Blues) [1945]

Artists Influenced

• Tal Farlow - Trio demands led to exploration of tempo and harmony changes, launching his career (Norvo Trio recordings) [1949-1953]
• Charles Mingus - Developed virtuoso bass skills through trio, advancing his career (Norvo Trio recordings) [1949-1951]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia