King Curtis

Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery; February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophonist known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, blues, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he played riffs and solos on such hit singles as "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, and "Yakety Yak" by The Coasters (the latter of which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax") and his own "Memphis Soul Stew".

Birth and Death Data: Born February 7, 1934 (Fort Worth), Died August 13, 1971 (Manhattan)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1957 - 1964

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-46 of 46 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 106558 2/11/1959 You pretty thing Tony Conn instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 107120 4/23/1959 When sin stops-1 Waylon Jennings instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 107121 4/23/1959 Jole blon Waylon Jennings instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 107927 10/7/1959 Wonderful girl Bill Baker instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 107928 10/7/1959 Chit chat Bill Baker instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111525 1/5/1962 Tammy Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111526 1/5/1962 Chattanooga choo choo Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111527 1/5/1962 A-tisket, a-tasket Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111528 1/5/1962 When the Saints go twistin' in Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111529 1/10/1962 Hawaiian war chant Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111530 1/10/1962 Blueberry hill Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111531 1/10/1962 Begin the beguine Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111532 1/10/1962 The dipsy doodle Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111533 1/10/1962 The music goes 'round and around Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111534 1/10/1962 Christopher Columbus Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111535 1/10/1962 My reverie Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111536 1/10/1962 Organ grinder's swing Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 111537 1/10/1962 In the mood Chuck Marshal and the Twist All Stars instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 112352 6/19/1962 Reminiscing Buddy Holly instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 112762 11/14/1962 Reminiscing Buddy Holly instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 114367 1/15/1964 Come back baby Buddy Holly instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
(Results 26-46 of 46 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Curtis, King," accessed March 29, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310546.

Curtis, King. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310546.

"Curtis, King." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 29 March 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310546

External Sources

Wikipedia: King Curtis

Discogs: King Curtis

Allmusic: King Curtis

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Curtis, King, 1934-1971 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n87118070

Wikidata: King Curtis - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1345099

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/195756

MusicBrainz: King Curtis - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/151231cb-fca6-42e0-976a-66b07193d657

ISNI: 0000 0000 8079 586X - http://www.isni.org/isni/000000008079586X

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