Navarro was born in Key West, Florida.
Fats Navarro played in the Andy Kirk, Billy Eckstine, Benny Goodman, and Lionel Hampton orchestras , and recorded with Kenny Clarke, Tadd Dameron, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Illinois Jacquet, Howard McGhee, and Bud Powell.
Fats Navarro died in New York City of tuberculosis, the end hastened by his heroin addiction.