Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Yahoo LAUNCHCAST song of the day


Artist:Fats Navarro

Song:52nd Street Theme

Album:The Complete Blue Note And Capitol Recordings





Fats Navarro was another great jazz musician who is forgotten today simply because he wasn't around very long. This 2CD comp covers his whole career. He was born on Sept. 24, 1923 in Key West, FL. By age 17 he was already playing in Andy Kirk's big band. A stint in the Billy Eckstine band led him to composer/arranger Tadd Dameron and this comp covers their music. The two worked very closely for a three year period. This version of Thelonious Monk's 52nd Street Theme is actually from pianist Bud Powell's 1949 album The Amazing Bud Powell Vol. 1. Other musicians include Sonny Rollins on tenor sax, George Duvivier on bass and Max Roach on drums. Fats Navarro was a heroin addict and that led to him contracting tuberculosis and he died on July 7, 1950 at age 26. There's no video footage available. Fats Navarro was one of the greats of jazz trumpet and his music should not be forgotten.

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