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Posts Tagged ‘Paul Whiteman’

Died On This Date (April 6, 1999) Red Norvo / Jazz Vibraphonist

Posted by themusicsover on April 6, 2010

Kenneth “Red” Norvo
March 31, 1908 – April 6, 1999

Red Norvo was a pioneering musician who helped introduce the xylophone and vibraphone into jazz.  Throughout a long and successful career that he launched in 1925, Norvo played with the likes of Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra.  He also recorded several albums of his own.  Throughout the late ’50s and early ’60s, Norvo was a frequent performing guest on Dinah Shore’s popular weekly variety television program.  During the mid ’80s, Norvo suffered a serious stroke which forced him into retirement.  He was 91 when he passed away on April 6, 1999.



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Died On This Date (January 15, 1964) Jack Teagarden / Jazz Great

Posted by themusicsover on January 15, 2010

Waldo “Jack” Teagarden
August 20, 1905 – January 15, 1964

Jack Teagarden was an influential jazz trombonist who achieved acclaim during the pre-bebop era.  He was also an accomplished composer and, unlike most other jazz greats, had a beautiful singing voice.  Teagarden had already learned to play the trombone by the time he was ten, and by his twenties, he was playing professionally in and around San Antonio, Texas.  Over the course of his career, Teagarden played with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller, Bix Beiderbecke, and Paul Whiteman.  Jack Teagarden was 58 when he died of a heart attack on January 15, 1964.

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Jack Teagarden

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Died On This Date (November 26, 1956) Tommy Dorsey / Jazz Icon

Posted by themusicsover on November 26, 2009

Tommy Dorsey
November 10, 1905 – November 26, 1956

tommy

Tommy Dorsey was a trombonist and band leader who came to prominence during jazz’s swing era.  He was also the younger brother of another jazz great, Jimmy Dorsey with whom he found success as the Dorsey Brothers.  Beginning his career in the Scranton Sirens at just 15, Dorsey backed such performers and Rudy Vallee and Paul Whiteman.  He formed his first band in 1935 and began touring nationally.  But as many big bands did in the aftermath of WW2, Dorsey broke up his band due to economics of the times.  Dorsey also released numerous hit records during his career, including 17 that topped the charts.  His biggest hit was “I’ll Never Smile Again” which featured Frank Sinatra on vocals.   Tommy Dorsey, 51, died while choking in his sleep on November 26, 1956.   Reports indicate that after eating a big meal, he took some sleeping pills and retired to bed.  The dosage was apparently strong enough to not allow him to wake up while he choked to death.

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Tommy Dorsey

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Died On This Date (October 4, 2008) Al Gallodoro / Jazz Musician

Posted by themusicsover on October 4, 2009

Al Gallodoro
June 20, 1913 – October 4, 2008

Al Gallodoro was a jazz saxophonist whose career began in the 1920s and spanned nearly eight decades until just prior to his death in 2008.  He is best remembered for his association with Paul Whiteman, playing in his orchestra from 1936 to 1940.  He went on to play bass clarinet in NBC’s Symphony Orchestra.  Gallodoro made his final appearance on September 20, 2008 and then passed away 2 weeks later at the age of 95.



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