Theodore (Fats) Navarro (24 September 1923 – 6 July 1950) was an American jazz trumpet player. He was a pioneer of the bebop style of jazz improvisation in the 1940's. He is regarded by many to have been one of the first modern jazz trumpet improvisers and in his short career had a strong stylistic influence on many other players, most notably Clifford Brown. September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jazz is a musical art form that originated in New Orleans at around the start of the 20th century. ... The trumpet is the highest brass instrument in register, above the horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba. ... Bebop or bop is a form of jazz characterized by fast tempos and improvisation based on harmonic structure rather than melody. ... Jazz is a musical art form that originated in New Orleans at around the start of the 20th century. ... Philosophically, improvisation often focuses on bringing ones personal awareness into the moment, and on developing a profound understanding for the action one is doing. ... Clifford Brown (October 30, 1930 – June 26, 1956) was an influential and highly rated American jazz trumpeter. ...

Navarro was born in Key West, Florida, to Cuban-Black-Chinese parentage. He began playing piano at age six, but did not become serious about music until he began playing trumpet at age thirteen. By the time he graduated high school he wanted out of Key West and joined a dance band headed for the midwest. Aerial photo of Key West, looking north. ...

After touring with many bands and gaining valuable experience, and tiring of the road life, Navarro settled in New York City in 1946, where his playing really took off. He met and played with, among others, Charlie Parker, one of the greatest musical innovators of modern jazz improvisation. He also developed a heroin addiction, which, coupled with tuberculosis led to a slow decline in his health and death at the age of twenty six. Charlie Parker Charles Bird Parker, Jr. ...

Among others, Fats Navarro played in the Andy Kirk, Billy Eckstine, Benny Goodman, and Lionel Hampton big bands, and participated in small group recording sessions with Kenny Clarke, Tadd Dameron, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Howard McGhee, and Bud Powell. Andy Kirk (May 28, 1898 - 1992) was a jazz bass saxophonist. ... Billy Eckstine (8 July 1914 – 8 March 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as William Clarence Eckstein. ... Benny Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American jazz musician, known as King of Swing, Patriarch of the Clarinet, The Professor, and Swings Senior Statesman. He was one of the most important performer of popular music in the twentieth century. ... Lionel Hampton with George W. Bush Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908, Louisville, Kentucky – August 31, 2002 New York City), was a jazz bandleader and percussionist. ... Kenny Clarke (born January 9, 1914 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania-died January 26, 1985 in Paris, France) was a jazz drummer and an early innovator of the bebop style of drumming. ... Tadley Ewing Peake (Tadd) Dameron (February 21, 1917 – March 8, 1965) was an American jazz pianist, arranger, and composer. ... Edward Davis (March 2, 1922 - November 3, 1986), who performed and recorded as Eddie Lockjaw Davis, was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. ... Coleman Hawkins Coleman Randolph Hawkins, nicknamed Hawk and sometimes Bean, (November 21, 1901 or 1904 - May 19, 1969) was a prominent jazz tenor saxophone musician. ... Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet (October 31, 1922 - July 22, 2004) was a jazz tenor saxophonist most famous for his solo on Flying Home. He is better known simply as Illinois Jacquet. ... Howard McGhee (b March 6, 1918 Tulsa, OK - d July 17, 1987 NYC) Bebob jazz trumpeter known for lightening fast fingers and very high notes. ... The Amazing Bud Powell - early LP cover Earl Rudolph Bud Powell (September 27, 1924 – July 31, 1966 in New York City) was one of the most influential pianists in the history of jazz. ...

External links

• Biography of Fats Navarro
• Fats Navarro at All Music Guide