Red Norvo

(leader, piano, xylophone, vibraphone) 1908 - 1999

Kenneth "Red" Norville was born in Beardstown, Illinois on March 31, 1908. By the middle 20's he was playing professionally throughout the mid-west states and on radio. He worked for Paul Whiteman in the early 30's and married singer Mildred Bailey. He formed his first band in 1935 and played at the Famous Door in New York. This group was augmented the following year for an engagement at the Commodore Hotel using arrangements by Eddie Sauter who also played trumpet with the band.

For the next four years Norvo recorded for Brunswick and several of these recordings are regarded as highly important - especially "In A Mist" and "Dance Of The Octopus" - as are the many Sauter arrangements both instrumental and those written for Mildred Bailey. As the Swing Era hit its zenith in 1939 the band faltered due to internal difficulties and the public preference for the more exuberant orchestras. In late 1941 Norvo reformed with a larger band and with arranger Johnny Thompson giving the band identity it seemed as if success was at hand. However the implications of the war economy proved too much and they disbanded in mid 1942.

For the next eighteen months he led very successful sextets with stars in the making such as Shorty Rogers, Eddie Bert, Flip Philips, Aaron Sachs, and Ralph Burns. He subsequently joined Benny Goodman and Woody Herman having switched to vibraphone and in the fifties formed his Trio with Tal Farlow and Charlie Mingus. He also added class to innumerable sessions including some by Frank Sinatra.

Norvo is generally regarded as having been one of the great creators in jazz and he remained active well into his seventies. He died in Santa Monica on April 9, 1999.

His career between 1933 and 1942 is covered by 5 CDs on Hep with exhaustive notes and photographs.

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CD1019

RED NORVO & His Orchestra

"Jivin' The Jeep"

Featuring Mildred Bailey 1937-38.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £8.99

CD1040

RED NORVO & His Orchestra

"Rock It For Me"

1938.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £8.99

CD1044

RED NORVO & His Orchestra

"Dance Of The Octopus"

From the first studio recordings to his 1936 orchestra covering the period 1933-36 and featuring Charlie Barnet, Bunny Berigan, Chu Berry, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Herbie Haymer, Jack Jenney, Artie Shaw and Teddy Wilson.

Titles - Knockin' On Wood / Hole In The Wall / In A Mist / Dance Of The Octopus / Old Fashioned Love / I Surrender, Dear / Tomboy / The Night Is Blue / Honeysuckle Rose / With All My Heart And Soul / Bughouse / Blues In E Flat / Gramercy Square / Polly Wolly Doodle / Decca Stomp / The Music Goes 'Round And Around / The Broken Record / The Wedding Of Jack And Jill / You Started Me Dreaming / Misty Islands Of The Highlands / What's The Name Of That Song / Let Yourself Go / Life Begins When You're In Love / If You Love Me / I Got Rhythm / Oh, Lady Be Good.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £8.99

Red Norvo - "Dance Of The Octopus"

CD1050

RED NORVO & His Orchestra

"Wig-Wammin"

Continuation of 1938 Performance.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £8.99

CD1072

RED NORVO & His Orchestra

"Nuances By Norvo"

Conclusion of studio performances 1938-42.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £8.99

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