Jazz trumpeter “Fats” Navarro, a pioneer of the bebop style of jazz improvisation in the 1940s, was born on this date in 1923. Born Theodore Navarro in Key West, Florida, he first performed as a tenor saxophonist in Miami, and went on to play trumpet in big bands, most notably Andy Kirks in 1943 and 1944, and the avant-garde Billy Eckstine band in 1945 and 1946. He then worked and recorded with other well-known leaders, including Illinois Jacquet and Coleman Hawkins, before making the most important association of his career with composer-band leader Tadd Dameron in 1948. The fullness and beauty of Navarros tone extended through all ranges of his trumpet, and he executed complex phrases with rare grace. The variety of his phrasing added to the exuberant quality of his music, yet his solos were also notable for their organization. Sadly, Navarro developed a heroin addiction, tuberculosis, and a weight problem (he was nicknamed Fat Girl). These afflictions led to a slow decline in his health and death at the age of 26. Navarro was hospitalized on July 1 and died in the evening of July 7, 1950. His last performance was with Charlie Parker on July 1 at Birdland. He performs below.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:51:58 +0000
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