Norman Amadio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norman Amadio
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Albert Norman Benedict Amadio |
| Born | April 14, 1928 Timmins, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | January 21, 2020 (aged 91) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist, arranger, composer, bandleader |
| Instruments | Piano |
Norman Amadio (born April 14, 1928 – died January 21, 2020) was a famous Canadian jazz pianist. He was also a teacher, composer, and bandleader. For 50 years, he led orchestras and directed music for many TV shows at the CBC. In 1956, he made history as the only Canadian to play at the famous Birdland jazz club in New York City. He even played on the same stage as the legendary Duke Ellington!
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Norm Amadio was born in Timmins, Ontario. When he was 15, in 1943, Norm played at a special concert to help the war effort. A famous singer named Gracie Fields asked him to join her on a tour across Canada. But his parents said no because he was too young.
Norm loved the piano playing of Art Tatum. He also found inspiration from jazz musicians like Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Horace Silver. When he was 17, Norm moved from Timmins to Toronto. He studied music with Boris Berlin at the Royal Conservatory for six months. After his studies, he played jazz at night, influenced by the exciting "be-bop" style. Norm helped start the be-bop jazz scene in Toronto. Many famous jazz musicians from Canada and the US came to play with him.
Playing in Toronto's Jazz Scene
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Norm Amadio became a very important musician in Toronto. He was one of the most popular piano players and accompanists in the city. An accompanist plays music to support a singer or another musician.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Norm played at many top jazz clubs in Toronto. These included The Towne Tavern, The Colonial, Bourbon Street, and George's Spaghetti House. He led the house band at the Old Towne Tavern for nine years. News of Norm's amazing playing reached the United States. Many American jazz superstars came to Toronto to work with Norm Amadio's Trio.
Some of the famous American jazz musicians who played with Norm included Roy Eldridge, Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Miles Davis, Carmen McRae, and Mel Tormé.
A journalist named Peter Goddard said that Norm was a very strong be-bop player. He was a musical whiz kid from Timmins. He learned to stay calm even when the club scene in the city was wild. His reliability helped him get work. His amazing musical talent made him respected and powerful. Famous jazz stars like Miles Davis wanted him to play with them.
Music for Television and Recordings
Norm Amadio also did a lot of studio work. He made almost 100 recordings with different Canadian artists. These included Moe Koffman, Guido Basso, and Marc Jordan. Many of his recordings were not officially written down. Some known recordings include Moe Koffman's "Tales Of Koffman" in 1962.
Norm worked for the CBC for 50 years. He was a well-known musical director for many TV series. He led the orchestra for the weekly Music Hop show from 1963 to 1967. He also conducted music for other special shows on CBC. He was part of the house band on CBC-TV’s Wayne & Shuster Show for 20 years. He also played with the Bert Niosi Orchestra on Cross Canada Hit Parade.
Norm was a musical director for shows like The Tommy Ambrose Show and Take 30. He also worked on TV specials with famous people like Kenny Rogers, Robert Goulet, Al Hirt, and Henry Mancini. Norm even performed a two-hour live show called 100 Years of Canada with his 40-piece Norman Amadio Orchestra.
Later Career and Collaborations
In the 1980s, Norm worked with jazz greats like Chet Baker and Harry "Sweets" Edison. Later, his orchestra played for Broadway and Las Vegas stars. They performed at the Imperial Room of the Royal York Hotel. These stars included Bobby Darin, The Drifters, and Phyllis Diller. At the O'Keefe Centre, Norm worked with Judy Garland, Paul Anka, and Bob Hope.
Norm also worked with many Canadian musicians and singers. Some of these included Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Moe Koffman, and Neil Swainson. From 2010 to 2014, Norm was the main piano player for the Singer's Jazz Series. This series was organized by Toronto singer Julie McGregor. They played to sold-out crowds at popular spots like Hugh's Room.
Norm Amadio retired at age 86. His last performance was at The 2014 TD Downtown Jazz Festival. He played with vocalist Julie McGregor. Norm recorded 12 songs with Julie McGregor and bassist George Koller in 2010. These songs included "Dance Me To The End Of Love" and "Easy To Love".
Norm Amadio's second-to-last CD was called Norman Amadio and Friends. It featured singers Marc Jordan and Jackie Richardson. It also included saxophonist Phil Dwyer and Guido Basso on flugelhorn.
Norman Amadio passed away in January 2020, at 91 years old.
Images for kids
-
Norman Amadio
See also
- List of Jazz Arrangers
