King Curtis
| King Curtis | ||
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King Curtis
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Curtis Montgomery | |
| Also known as | Curtis Ousley | |
| Born |
February 7, 1934 Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
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| Died | August 13, 1971 (aged 37) New York, New York, U.S. |
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| Genres | Soul, R&B, rock, funk, jazz | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, producer | |
| Instruments | Tenor saxophone, trumpet | |
| Years active | 1950–1971 | |
| Labels | King, Prestige, True Sound, Capitol, Atlantic, Groove | |
| Associated acts | Aretha Franklin, The Coasters, John Lennon, The King Pins, Bernard Purdie, The Shirelles, The Noble Band, Cornell Dupree, Jerry Jemmott | |
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| Music sample | ||
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Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso 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 was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew".
The son of Ethel Montgomery, he was born Curtis Montgomery in Fort Worth, Texas, and was adopted, with his sister Josephine, by Josie and William Ousley. Curtis Ousley attended I.M. Terrell High School, and studied and performed music with schoolmate Ornette Coleman.
Curtis started playing saxophone at the age of twelve in the Fort Worth area. He took interest in many musical genres including jazz, rhythm and blues, and popular music. As a student pursuing music, he turned down college scholarships in order to join the Lionel Hampton Band. During his time with Hampton, he was able to write and arrange music and learn guitar. In 1952 Curtis decided to move to New York and became a session musician, recording for such labels as Prestige, Enjoy, Capitol, and Atco. He recorded with Nat Adderley, Wynton Kelly,Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings and Andy Williams.
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