King Curtis

Among the final towering figures in the realm of R&B tenor saxophone stood King Curtis. Curtis Ousley entered the world in Fort Worth, Texas, and rose to notice in the middle 1950s while serving as a session musician in New York, where he cut tracks at one point or another for nearly every East Coast R&B imprint. A sustained partnership with Atco/Atlantic commenced in 1958, most visibly on sides by the Coasters. Throughout the 1950s he also issued singles on numerous smaller labels, including his own Atco dates from 1958 to 1959 and jazz and R&B albums for Prestige/New Jazz and Prestige/Tru-Sound between 1960 and 1961. On Enjoy in 1962 he scored a number one R&B single with “Soul Twist.” Capitol signed him for 1963 and 1964, a period devoted chiefly to singles that included the number 20 R&B success “Soul Serenade.” He rejoined Atco/Atlantic in 1965 and stayed with the label until his death. Further R&B single traction arrived in 1967 via “Memphis Soul Stew” and “Ode to Billie Joe.” From that same year onward he assumed a greater behind-the-scenes presence at Atlantic, heading and booking sessions for fellow artists, producing alongside Jerry Wexler and eventually on his own. He likewise directed Aretha Franklin’s touring ensemble, the Kingpins. Several albums assembled from his singles appeared during these years. Every facet of his professional life was thriving when he was murdered in 1971. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 2000.