Theodore “Fats” Navarro was born in Key West, Florida on September 24, 1923. During his short career Navarro was less well-known than Miles Davis or Dizzy Gillespie but was “also a gifted and innovative trumpet player.” His solos were carefully constructed and lyrical and had a direct influence on the playing of Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard.

Navarro was of Cuban, African and Chinese heritage and began piano lessons at age 6. He began studying trumpet when he was 13 and by the time he was 18 left Key West to play in a big band based out of Orlando, Florida. Eventually, he ended up in Indianapolis where he became friends with trombonist J.J. Johnson while they were both members of Snookum Russel’s band. Then, after a short stint with Andy Kirk, Navarro was hired to take the chair being vacated by Gillespie in Billy Eckstein’s ensemble. He was immediately comfortable with playing in that band and was given opportunities to solo on recordings the group made in 1946.

Navarro wanted more freedom than the big band setting afforded and, after 18 months with Eckstein, he left the group and moved to New York City where he played small group gigs with Kenny Clarke, Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell and Kenny Dorham. He also played with pianist/composer Tadd Dameron and is featured on Dameron’s Lady Bird. Navarro also appears on the Columbia album “One Night at Birdland” with Charlie Parker.

“Fats” Navarro suffered from tuberculosis and that, in combination with his use of heroin, took a great toll on his health. He was in very poor condition for the final year of his life and passed away on July 7, 1950 at the age of 26.

Here is a link to Fats Navarro and his Thin Men from a 1947 recording:

"GOIN' TO MINTON'S"