Recorded in 1957, 'Red Plays the Blues' was Norvo's second album for RCA Victor, showcasing his signature blend of vibraphone and xylophone with a blues-inflected jazz ensemble. The album features a tight rhythm section and tight arrangements, presenting Norvo in a familiar, albeit slightly less swinging, context than some of his earlier work.
- The album was recorded on September 16 and 17, 1957, at RCA Victor's Studio A in New York City.
- The lineup for the session included Red Norvo on xylophone and vibraphone, Tony Rizzi on guitar, Red Wootten on bass, and Chuck Flores on drums.
- The album was released in April 1958, reaching number 14 on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart.
Red Norvo was an American musician, best known as a pioneer of the jazz xylophone. He was a leading figure in the swing era and a key innovator in small-group jazz.
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