Red Norvo Octet "BLUES IN E FLAT" (1935)

 

Check out Red Norvo on xylophone with "Blues In E Flat".  Quite the band on this recording.  Some true legends of early jazz.  

"Blues in E Flat"

(Red Norvo)

Red Norvo and his Swing Octet

Columbia 3079-D

Recorded Jan. 25, 1935, New York

Personnel:

Bunny Berigan - trumpet

Jack Jenny - trombone

Johnny Mince - clarinet

Chu Berry - tenor sax

Teddy Wilson - piano

George Van Eps - guitar

Artie Bernstein - string bass

Gene Krupa - drums

Red Norvo - xylophone

Red Norvo (1908 - 1999) was an important jazz figure as soloist and leader from the mid 1920s into the 1980s.  Pioneer on jazz xylophone, later took up vibraphone. Crisp, inventive soloist with impeccable swing and exquisite taste. Leader of advanced big band in middle and late 1930s featuring brilliant Eddie Sauter arrangements. Though swing-school musician, Norvo blended easily into progressive styles in mid 1940s.  Good showman, mostly self-taught, as youth switched from piano to xylophone.  At 17 led marimba group The Collegians on vaudeville tour. With Paul Ash at Chicago's Oriental Theatre 1926, later toured as vaudeville solo act. Led first band in Milwaukee 1928.  In Chicago later 1928-30 as staff musician with Victor Young. Early 1930s with Paul Whiteman, married featured singer Mildred Baily. Freelanced in New York  1934-35, led combos at Famous Door late 1935.  Augmented to big band spring 1936, featured vocalist Mildred Bailey, billed as "Mr. and Mrs Swing". Band's outstanding jazzmen Herbie Haymer, Hank D'Amico, Stew Pletcher, George Wettling. Disbanded mid-1939, led bands of varying sizes in 1940s.  On Mildred Bailey Show 1944, Late 1944-45 with Benny Goodman Quintet in Broadway musical "Seven Lively Arts."  1946 Joined Woody Herman for a Year as featured soloist and assistant leader. Beginning 1950 mostly led trio.  Occasionally on TV in 1950s and 1960s.  In the 1960s in west coast and Las Vegas.  Featured on 1974 Benny Goodman TV special.