King Curtis

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Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the name King Curtis, was an American tenor, alto, and soprano saxophonist who played rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and soul jazz.

Curtis was born in Fort Worth, Texas. During the 1950s and early to mid 1960s he both worked as a session player on such records as Yakety Yak and recorded his own singles. His best known singles from this period are “Soul Twist” (Enjoy) and “Soul Serenade” (Capitol). In 1965 he moved to Atlantic Records, where his most successful singles were “Memphis Soul Stew” and “Ode to Billie Joe. ” He led Aretha Franklin’s backup band, The Kingpins, and produced records, at first with Jerry Wexler and then by himself.

Curtis guested on John Lennon’s Imagine and was capable of attracting the best session musicians to put in appearances for his own albums, including Eric Clapton, guitarist Duane Allman on Instant Groove, and organist Billy Preston and drummer Bernard Purdie on Live At Fillmore West.

On Saturday August 13 1971 he was stabbed outside his apartment and pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital.
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Popular tags: soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, saxophone, funk  See more

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  • avalemert wrote:
    August 2011
    Gut-bustin' big tenor man... King Curtis. Taken from this world much too soon. All you gotta do is settle into "Tanya" ah... that's it. More people should listen to King Curtis that like the saxophone, I think sometimes people hear certain "names" and don't look or listen any further. Missing the immense expressiveness of the horn, not watered down or background, but in your face, power!

    Leave avalemert a shout

  • kevnik wrote:
    December 2010
    Sweet sax that's not afraid to kick your ass

    Leave kevnik a shout

  • ConradPoohs19 wrote:
    November 2009
    wow

    Leave ConradPoohs19 a shout

  • SOULSAXMAN wrote:
    July 2009
    His version of Night Train is just amazing. He is one of my fav saxophonists. As a Saxophonist myself I know that there will never be another King Curtis. He was a true legend.

    Leave SOULSAXMAN a shout

  • tmikos wrote:
    December 2008
    This man is criminally overlooked and forgotten. Live at Fillmore West is one of the best live albums I've ever heard in my life. There is no weak points... It's a shame how he died.

    Leave tmikos a shout

  • nothingbutflesh wrote:
    April 2008
    Live at Fillmore west is the most wonderful experience of my life so far.

    Leave nothingbutflesh a shout

  • stevekeiretsu wrote:
    January 2008
    live at fillmore west - towering genius :)

    Leave stevekeiretsu a shout

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