Red Norvo born as Kenneth Norville, on 31 March 31 1908, Beardstown Illinois and he died on April 6 1999 at Santa Monica California. He was a Xylophonist, vibraphonist and a bandleader. Norvo was not only first to make a jazz instrument of the xylophone, but also an unusually adventurous musician, one of those who realized that the 'swing band' was an ensemble for which good music could be written. In 1949, trying to find work near home on the West Coast more easily than he could with a larger group, Norvo formed a trio with the novel combination of vibes, guitar, and bass. ...show more

Red Norvo born as Kenneth Norville, on 31 March 31 1908, Beardstown Illinois and he died on April 6 1999 at Santa Monica California. He was a Xylophonist, vibraphonist and a bandleader. Norvo was not only first to make a jazz instrument of the xylophone, but also an unusually adventurous musician, one of those who realized that the 'swing band' was an ensemble for which good music could be written. In 1949, trying to find work near home on the West Coast more easily than he could with a larger group, Norvo formed a trio with the novel combination of vibes, guitar, and bass.

When the original guitarist and bassist quit (Mundell Lowe and Red Kelly), he brought in two previously little-known players. Tal Farlow became one of the most important of the post-War generation of guitarists, in part because the demands of the trio led him to explore new levels of both speed and harmonic richness on the instrument. Charles Mingus's prominence as a bass player increased through this group, though its reportoire did not reflect the major career he would develop as a composer. The trio lasted until 1951, and recorded two LPs for Savoy.

Norvo recorded and toured throughout his career until a stroke in the mid-1980s forced him into retirement. He died at a convalescent home in Santa Monica, California at the age of 91.. ...show less