Red Norvo was not a man, or indeed a musician, to follow the rules and he persuaded a studio engineer to let them in on the sly. In the dead of night, Red Norvo and the band ‘gained access’ to the equipment and began to play. ‘Red Norvo: The Secret Session’ is the result. More than 60 years after the clandestine operation, the previously unheard album is now available on CD and digital formats as part of the ‘Legends’ series.

Red Norvo’s band showcased tight attractive arrangements and presented soloists who blew like they were veterans. The septet boasted musicians who would later become stars in their own right, most of all trombonist Eddie Bert, who provided the tapes for this release. This album is a snapshot – literally a stolen moment in time! – and an important look into a band that was bridging a gap between swing and bebop.