Fats Navarro American jazzman, trumpeter Date of Birth: 24.09.1923 Country: USA

1. Fats Navarro: The Pioneer of Bebop
2. Early Career and Travels
3. Establishing Himself in New York
4. Challenges and Legacy

Fats Navarro: The Pioneer of Bebop

Fats Navarro was an American jazz musician and trumpeter, widely regarded as one of the founders of the bebop improvisational style. He greatly influenced a number of renowned jazz musicians, particularly Clifford Brown. Navarro was born in Key West, Florida, and his heritage included a mix of Cuban, Chinese, and African American blood. At the age of six, he started playing the piano, although he didn't take music seriously until he began playing the trumpet at thirteen, when he started considering a future career in music.

Early Career and Travels

By the time he finished school, Navarro had firmly decided that he didn't want to stay in his hometown of Key West, as he had never particularly liked it. He joined a dance band and set off for the Midwest. Traveling the roads of America, Navarro had the chance to play with various groups and gain invaluable experience. During his time with Snookum Russell's band, he significantly influenced the then young and inexperienced J.J. Johnson and also met Ray Brown. At that time, Navarro hadn't gained much popularity with audiences yet; he still had to develop the unique style that would later make him famous.

Establishing Himself in New York

Navarro worked in Orlando and Cincinnati for a while, learning to play from more experienced musicians and attending specialized institutions like the Ohio School of Music. In 1946, Navarro settled in New York City, and it was then that his career gradually began to take off. He met a number of famous musicians, including one of the greatest improvising jazzmen of the time, Charlie Parker. Unfortunately, their productive collaboration was hindered primarily by Navarro's demands. Theodore had set his sights on a significant salary and declined to join one of Parker's groups. Navarro's claims were well-founded, as Charlie was paying his protégé very little, and at that time, Navarro was already in high demand.

Challenges and Legacy

A second serious issue was Navarro's heroin addiction, coupled with tuberculosis and excess weight (at the time, Navarro was known as "Fat Girl"). These factors severely impacted his health. It was because of this that Navarro died at a very young age of 26. On July 1, 1950, shortly after his last concert with Charlie Parker, Navarro was admitted to the hospital, and on July 7, the musician passed away. His widowed wife, Rena, and their daughter, Linda, currently reside in Seattle, Washington.

Despite his short professional career, Navarro accomplished an astonishing amount. He played with Andy Kirk and Billy Eckstine, Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton, and recorded with Kenny Clarke, Tadd Dameron, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Howard McGhee, and Bud Powell. Charles Mingus mentioned his friendship and occasional touring with Navarro in his autobiographical work, "Beneath the Underdog," although there are known factual errors in the book.