Theodore "Fats" Navarro (September 24, 1923 – July 6, 1950) was an American jazz trumpet player. He was a pioneer of the bebop style of jazz improvisation in the 1940s. He had a strong stylistic influence on many other players, most notably Clifford Brown.
Navarro was born in Key West, Florida, of Cuban, African, and Chinese descent. He began playing piano at age six, but did not become serious about music until he began playing trumpet at the age of thirteen. He was a childhood friend of drummer Al Dreares. By the time he graduated from Douglass high school he wanted to be away from Key West and joined a dance band headed for the midwest.
Tiring of the road life after touring with many bands and gaining valuable experience, including influencing a young J. J. Johnson when they were together in Snookum Russell's territory band, Navarro settled in New York City in 1946, where his career took off. He met and played with, among others, Charlie Parker, one of the greatest musical innovators of modern jazz improvisation. But Navarro was in a position to demand a high salary and did not join one of Parker's regular groups. He also developed a heroin addiction, tuberculosis, and a weight problem (he was nicknamed "Fat Girl"). These afflictions led to a slow decline in his health and death at the age of twenty-six. Navarro was hospitalized on July 1 and died in the evening of July 6, 1950. His last performance was with Charlie Parker on July 1 at Birdland.
Navarro died in New York City on July 6, 1950, and was survived by wife Rena (née Clark, 1927–1975), his daughter Linda (1949-2014), and his sister Delores.
Discography
1943
Andy Kirk - "Fare Thee Well Honey" c/w "Baby, Don't You Tell Me No Lie" (Decca 4449)
1944
Andy Kirk and his Orchestra Live at the Apollo 1944-1947 (Everybody's EV 3003)
Andy Kirk - Andy's Jive (Swing House (E) SWH 39)
The Uncollected Andy Kirk - Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy (Hindsight (E) HSR 227)
Andy Kirk and his Orchestra (no details) (Caracol (F) CAR 424)
1945
Andy Kirk and his Orchestra (no details) (Swing House (E) SWH 130)
Billy Eckstine - Together (Spotlite (E) SPJ 100)
Billy Eckstine - Blues for Sale (EmArcy MG 36029)
Billy Eckstine - The Love Songs of Mr. "B" (EmArcy MG 36030)
V.A. - The Advance Guard of the '40s (EmArcy MG 36016)
Billy Eckstine - You Call It Madness (Regent MG 6058)
Billy Eckstine - Prisoner of Love (Regent MG 6052)
1946
Andy Kirk - "He's My Baby" c/w "Soothe Me" (Decca 23870)
Andy Kirk - "Alabama Bound" c/w "Doggin' Man Blues" (Decca 48073)
Billy Eckstine - My Deep Blue Dream (Regent MG 6054)
Billy Eckstine - I Surrender, Dear (EmArcy MG 36010)
V.A. - Boning Up the 'Bones (EmArcy MG 36038)
Billy Eckstine - Mr. B and the Band (Savoy SJL 2214)
Dexter Gordon on Dial - Move! (Spotlite (E) SPJ 133)
1949
The Metronome All Stars - From Swing to Be-Bop (RCA Camden CAL 426) - released on Dizzy Gillespie's The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (Bluebird, 1937-1949, [1995])
Dizzy Gillespie - Strictly Be Bop (Capitol M 11059)