by Scott YanowRed Norvo was an unusual star during the swing era, playing jazz xylophone. After he switched to vibes in 1943, Norvo had a quieter yet no-less fluent style than Lionel Hampton. Although no match for Hampton popularity-wise, Norvo and his wife, singer Mildred Bailey, did become known as Mr. and Mrs. Swing.Red Norvo had a long and interesting career. He started on marimba when he was 14 and soon switched to xylophone. Active in vaudeville in the late 20s as a tap dancer, Norvo joined Paul Whitemans orchestra in the early 30s (meeting and marrying Mildred Bailey). He recorded some extraordinary sides in the early to mid-30s that showed off his virtuosity and imagination; two numbers (the atmospheric Dance of the Octopus and In a Mist) had Benny Goodman playing bass clarinet, remarkably. Norvo led his own band during 1936-1944 which, with its Eddie Sauter arrangements (particularly in the early days), had a unique ensemble ...