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

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.



Died On This Date (January 16, 2010) Jimmy Wyble / Guitarist; Played With Bob Wills & Benny Goodman

Jimmy Wyble
January 25, 1922 – January 16, 2010

Jimmy Wyble is best remembered as a guitarist who made significant contributions to worlds of jazz and Western swing.  During the early days of his career, Wyble played country-western, most notably in Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys.  After serving a few years in WWII, Wyble set his sites on jazz and formed his own combo.  He released his first album, The Jimmy Wyble Quintet in 1953.  In the coming years, he played in both Benny Goodman’s and Red Norvo’s bands.  While playing for the latter, he toured with Frank Sinatra.  Wyble was a session player throughout most of the ’60s and ’70s, playing on such television shows as The Flip Wilson Show, and on such film soundtracks as Ocean’s Eleven and The Wild Bunch.  He was also a respected guitar teacher who taught the likes of Steve Lukather.  Jimmy Wyble passed away from heart failure just days before his 88th birthday.