Norvo, Red
(1908–1999)
Norvo, Red (31 Mar 1908–6 Apr 1999) American jazz xylophonist, pianist, and Big Band leader, born Kenneth Norville in Beardstown, Illinois. He studied at the University of Missouri during 1926–1927, and played locally; was with Paul Ash’s group at the Oriental Theater in Chicago; had a band in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1928. In the early 1930s he joined Paul Whiteman (and married feature singer Mildred Bailey). He put together a band in 1935, with Bailey as vocalist, and was successful in New…