34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally! A Career Retrospective of Fats Navarro, February 20, 2001
This review is from: Fats Navarro Story (Mini Lp Sleeve) (Audio CD)
Theodore "Fats" Navarro was only 26 years old when he died in 1950, but the jazz trumpeter accomplished much in a recording career that lasted just five years. Navarro was arguably the second great trumpeter to emerge from the bebop movement, whose controlled yet lyrical style was a marked alternative to the more flamboyant Dizzy Gillespie.
Most of Navarro's recordings have been available in the last few decades; he did the bulk of his recording for Blue Note and Savoy, both as a leader and a sideman. But there has never been a career-spanning retrospective, at least until now. Proper Records, an English label, has issued this fine four CD set, which features excellent sound and a terrific booklet.
What makes this set special is that it traces Navarro from his days with Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra to his early solo sides for Savoy, then on to his groundbreaking work with bandleader/composer/arranger Tadd Dameron, fiery trumpet duels with Kenny Dorham and, finally, to his final recordings with Charlie Parker, a mere week before his death from tuberculosis,apparently exacerbated by heroin use. Seldom has the development of a musician been better traced and, in particular, his work with Dameron sounds better than ever. Also included are a few rareand seldom reissued sessions that demonstrate Navarro's flair as an accompaniest for vocalists.
Fats Navarro's greatest legacy may be his influence on such later trumpeters as Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard; it is worth noting that these three major figures looked towrds Navarro rather than Gillespie for much of their style. "The Fats Navarro Story" is an essential purchasr for fans of bebop, and this box set should go far in getting Navarro the recognition he deserves.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You gotta get this!, December 19, 2001
This review is from: Fats Navarro Story (Mini Lp Sleeve) (Audio CD)
This is one of the greatest deals I've come across for a long time.. I'm a professional trumpet player and I love Fats Navarro.. There are so many great musicians on this CD its insane! Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Coleman Hawkins, J.J. Johnson, Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, its incredible! And its all for [a great price]. I'd be willing to pay [a lot more] for this collection, its great!
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Great One Lost..., December 20, 2005
This review is from: Fats Navarro Story (Mini Lp Sleeve) (Audio CD)
Too bad ...what a trumpet and tone...and the greats he played with...this compilation is an important one and does justice to him and his short life...unlike a "student" of his, the great Clifford Brown who died in a car crash,Fats was an emotional case of excess..his vulveribility was felt in his music and this generous collection does a service to Jazz history as far as quality and price. Proper records did a great one here..it seems nobody reviewed this one in years...Too bad.
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