King Curtis

See also: Curtis

Curtis Ousley (February 7th, 1934 with Fort Worth with the Texas, August 13rd, 1971 with New York), which played under the name of King Curtis , is a saxophonist tenor, viola and American soprano which played of the Jazz, of R&B and the Soul.

Biography

Raised by his adoptive parents with Mansfield in Texas, he learns the Alto saxophone at the 12 years age. He puts himself at the Saxophone tenor with the orchestra of his college, and launches out then in musical studies.

At the time of a passage of Lionel Hampton in its city, King Curtis is engaged in its orchestra, with which it leaves to New York in 1953. It produced there in formations of jazz (of which a trio with Horace Silver in 1954).

At the end of the Fifties, he exploits the Atco label (of Atlantic Records), and thus finds himself accompanying on disc by the artists like Chuck Willis, Clyde McPhatter or the Coasters. He signs finally a contract of artist on the Prestige label, where he leaves 60 to 61 several album jazz and R&B, including two with Nat Adderley and Wynton Kelly.

The first successes

Its first success is Soul Twist in 1962, recorded at Enjoy Records under the name of King Curtis & The Noble Knights . It leaves this same year in round with Sam Cooke, with the head of the group Soul Inc.; in this occasion it will take part in the recording of the Live At the Harlem Square Club.

In 1963, it signs at Capitol, where it records one year later its second success, Soul Serenade . It will turn over then to Atlantic, where it will remain until its death.

After 1967

The year 1967 is revolving years its career. Two of its individual are classified 6th R&B charts ( Memphis Soul Stew and Ode to Billie Joe ). He starts to direct meetings of recording, produced with Jerry Wexler, then soon only. He becomes also Musical director of Aretha Franklin, helped of Kingpins, his work force (generally made up of Richard Tee, Cornell Dupree, Jerry Jemmott and Bernard Purdie).

Its notoriety is then made. It is invited in good number of festivals, and occurs in places such as the Fillmore West and the Fillmore East. Musicians like Duane Allman or Billy Preston work on its albums.

In 71, whereas its career is at its culminating point and that he works on the album Imagine John Lennon and that he begins a production for Freddie King, he is assassinated on August 13rd with stabs during a dispute in front of his building of West 86th Street in New York.

Partial discography

  • At Small' S Paradise
  • Eternally, Drunk
  • King Size Drunk
  • Drunk Serenade
  • Drunk Sweet
  • Live At Fillmore West
  • Disorder In Mind
  • Urgent Drunk person - The legendary King Curtis - compilation
  • Live At Filmore West - live
  • Drunk King size

Sources

  • King Curtis on Allmusic
  • soulmen.net

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