TRUMPETER

Synopsis

African-American jazz trumpet virtuoso Fats Navarro was one of the founders of
bebop. He struggled with a heroin addiction and tuberculosis. Born on September
24, 1923, in Key West, Florida, Fats Navarro first performed as a tenor
saxophonist in Miami, and went on to play trumpet in big bands. He then worked
and recorded with other well-known band leaders, and eventually Tadd Dameron.
By then, however, Navarro's struggle with heroin addiction and progressive illness
with tuberculosis caused him to perform less often. He died on July 6, 1950, in
New York City.
Early Life

Born Theodore Navarro on September 24, 1923, in Key West, Florida, Fats
Navarro was one of the best jazz trumpeters of the 20th century. He was a
musical child, receiving piano lessons from his father when he was 6 years old. In
1934, Navarro began studying the trumpet and saxophone at school. At around
the age of 13, he started to seriously focus on the trumpet.

After completing high school in 1941, Navarro hit the road as a musician. He
played with Andy Kirk's group for a year beginning in 1943. Soon after this,
Navarro was brought in to replace Dizzy Gillespie in Billy Eckstine's band. A big
appetite and expanding figure during his touring years reportedly earned Navarro
the nickname "Fats."

Music Career

Navarro became a leading bebop jazz trumpeter in the 1940s. He performed and
recorded with the Be Bop Boys in 1946 and 1947. Around this time, Navarro
began working with pianist Tadd Dameron. Some of his most significant works,
such as "Our Delight," came from this collaboration.

On several occasions, Navarro performed with bassist Charles Mingus. Navarro

joined the bands of Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman for brief periods as well.
With Bud Powell's quintet, Navarro could be heard on recordings such as
"Bouncing with Bud." One of Navarro's final performances was with Charlie
Parker at New York's famed Birdland club in 1950.
Death at a Young Age

During his short yet remarkable life, Navarro battled drug addiction. His heroin
use weakened his health and may have contributed to his untimely death:
Navarro came down with tuberculosis and eventually ended up succumbing to
the disease. He died in New York City on July 6, 1950. Navarro was only 26 years
old. He was survived by his wife Rena and their daughter Linda.

In 2002, a headstone was placed at Navarro's grave. The epitaph on it is a quote

from Navarro, which reads: "I'd like to just play a perfect melody, all the chord
progressions right, the melody original and freshmy own."

Here is one a famous piece played by Navarro entitled Infatuation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT9Zb9ykj68