21 Facts About Norman Granz

Norman Granz was an American jazz record producer and concert promoter.

Norman Granz founded the record labels Clef, Norgran, Down Home, Verve, and Pablo and the Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series.

Norman Granz was a champion of racial equality, insisting, for example, on integrating audiences at concerts he promoted.

Norman Granz then emerged into the public view when he organised desegregated jam sessions at the Trouville Club in Los Angeles, which he later expanded when he staged a memorable concert at the Philharmonic Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 2,1944, under the heading of "Jazz at the Philharmonic".

Norman Granz had organised the first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert with about $300 of borrowed money.

Later known as JATP, the ever-changing group recorded and toured extensively, with Norman Granz producing some of the first live jam session recordings to be distributed to a wide market.

Norman Granz actually cancelled some bookings rather than have the musicians perform for segregated audiences.

In 1948, Norman Granz signed an agreement with Mercury Records for the promotion and the distribution of the JATP recordings and other recordings.

In 1950, he married Loretta Sullivan from Michigan; they had a daughter together, Stormont Norman Granz, who was disabled due to lack of oxygen during the birth.

Norman Granz was interested in art, developing a friendship with Pablo Picasso, whom he met in 1968.

Norman Granz died of cancer on November 22,2001, at the age of 83, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Norman Granz opposed racism and fought many battles for his artists, many of whom were black.

Norman Granz was incensed by the incident and insisted on fighting the charges in court, which was successful but cost him over $2,000.

Oscar Peterson recounted how Norman Granz once insisted that white cabdrivers take his black artists as customers, while a policeman pointed a loaded pistol at his stomach.

Norman Granz was among the first to pay white and black artists the same salary, and to give them equal treatment even in minor details such as dressing rooms.

Norman Granz insisted on equal treatment for singer Ella Fitzgerald, in both pay and hotel accommodations.

Norman Granz spearheaded the fight to desegregate the hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, arguing that it was unfair that black artists could perform on the stages, but could not stay or gamble at the hotels, or even enter through the front doors.

Norman Granz refused to take his hugely popular concerts to places that were segregated, even if he had to cancel concerts, thereby sacrificing considerable sums of money.

Norman Granz had been her manager for some time, and unified his activities under the common label of Verve Records.

Norman Granz became Fitzgerald's manager, and remained so until the end of her career.

Norman Granz was the manager of Oscar Peterson, another lifelong friend.