Fats Navarro

Fats Navarro was a distinguished trumpeter and soloist whose career, though short, made a significant impact. He was a key rival to Dizzy Gillespie in the bebop scene of the late '40s and early '50s, and he greatly influenced Clifford Brown. Navarro's tone was lighter and less harsh than Gillespie's, producing beautiful, full sounds with stunning solos and harmonic twists; he also incorporated Spanish-tinged phrases into his music. Initially playing piano and tenor sax, he switched to trumpet in his late teens. Navarro toured with dance bands at 17, joined Andy Kirk's band in 1943, and replaced Gillespie in Billy Eckstine's band in 1945. He later worked in small combos and recorded extensively with notable musicians. Navarro died in 1950 of tuberculosis, exacerbated by heroin addiction. His recordings have been compiled in various packages, including sets from Savoy, Milestone, and Blue Note.