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