Norm Ladd

American saxophonist, clarinetist and bandleader. Born in Flint, Michigan March 22, 1928 Died March 30, 1999 Rolling Meadows. Illinois (71 years old) He was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended Milwaukee State Teachers College before deciding to switch to music. As a boy, he learned to play the piano and the accordion. As a teenager, he switched to the saxophone and clarinet. He toured with several big bands including Tommy Dorsey's band and Gay Claridge's Orchestra. This led to his own swing band in 1959, settling in Chicago. The band performed at the Aragon, Willowbrook, Marinique, Palmer House, Ambassador Hotel and Morrison Hotel and often toured Midwest ballrooms in the 1960s and 70s. For more than 30 years, his band played weekends at the Willowbrook Ballroom in Illinois. He also worked for Summit Distributing Company as promotion man, working under Carl Proctor. He retired in 1993.