Red Norvo

Jazz musician, born in Beardstown, Illinois, USA. He was a xylophonist and vibes player who worked as a sideman with Victor Young's Radio Orchestra in Chicago (1927) and Paul Whiteman's Orchestra (1928–32). After two years of freelance recording work in New York, he led his own orchestra, featuring his wife, vocalist Mildred Bailey, until 1944. He alternated thereafter between leading his own small groups and appearing as a featured guest with Benny Goodman and various All Star swing ensembles.

Red Norvo (31 March 1908- 6 April 1999) was one of jazz's early vibraphonists.

Norvo was born Kenneth Norville in Beardstown, Illinois. Norvo's career began in Chicago with a band called "The Collegians", in 1925. He played with many other bands, including an all-marimba band on the vaudeville circuit, and the bands of Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Charlie Barnet, and Woody Herman. Norvo recorded with Mildred Bailey (his wife), Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, among others.

In 1949, while trying to find work near home on the West Coast and running into difficulties with large groups, Norvo formed a trio with the novel combination of vibes, guitar, and bass. 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.

Norvo recorded and toured throughout his career until a stroke in the mid-1980s forced him into retirement.