1. Fats Navarro

2. Early Life Born on September 24,1923 in Key West, Florida
Cuban/Black/Chinese parentage
Named after his father, Theodore Fernandez, Sr.
Described as a good natured and well-mannered person who had a positive outlook on life

3. Early Musical Study Began Piano lessons at age 6 from his father
Studied both Trumpet and Saxophone in school
Focused on the Trumpet at age 13
After graduating high school in 1941, Navarro left Key West to play and travel with multiple ensembles

4. Career and Later Life
Played with Snookum Russell’s Orchestra from as the featured trumpet soloist
Replaced Dizzy Gillespie in The Andy Kirk Band
Joined the Tadd Dameron Group in New York City
Unfortunately became addicted to Heroin, and succumbed to Tuberculosis in July,1950

6. Resources Similar to this artist: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis