King Curtis was the last of the great R&B tenor sax giants. He came to prominence in the mid-'50s as a session musician in New York, recording, at one time or another, for most East Coast R&B labels. A long association with Atlantic/Atco began in 1958, especially on recordings by the Coasters. He recorded singles for many small labels in the '50s -- his own Atco sessions (1958-1959), then Prestige/New Jazz and Prestige/TruSound for jazz and R&B albums (1960-1961). Curtis also had a number one R&B single with "Soul Twist" on Enjoy Records (1962). He was signed by Capitol (1963-1964), where he cut mostly singles, including "Soul Serenade." Returning to Atlantic in 1965, he remained there for the rest of his life. He had solid R&B single success with "Memphis Soul Stew" and "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967). Beginning in 1967, Curtis started to take a more active studio role at Atlantic, leading and contracting sessions for other artists, producing with Jerry Wexler, and later on his own. He also became the leader of Aretha Franklin's backing unit, the Kingpins. He compiled several albums of singles during this period. All aspects of his career were in full swing at the time he was murdered in 1971. ~ Bob Porter, All Music Guide
King Curtis & Champion Jack Dupree - Blues at Montreux
Year: 1971
Label: Atlantic
Total time: 38:19
Quality: 320 kbps
This live set from the 1971 Montreux Jazz Festival was co-led by tenor saxophonist King Curtis (who tragically would be killed three months later) and veteran blues pianist/vocalist Champion Jack Dupree. With guitarist Cornell Dupree (in excellent form), bassist Jerry Jemmott and drummer Oliver Jackson laying down the foundation, Curtis and Dupree find a great deal of common musical ground. Dupree has quite a few witty vocals (particularly the near-classic "Junker's Blues") while taking choruses of irregular length that keep his sidemen continually guessing. Curtis' distinctive tenor is also heard from, making one truly regret that this was his final recording. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG
Personnel:
King Curtis (Tenor and Alto Saxophone)
Champion Jack Dupree (Piano and Vocals)
Cornell Dupree (Guitar)
Jerry Jemmott (Bass Guitar)
Oliver Jackson (Drums)
King Curtis & Champion Jack Dupree - Blues at Montreux Tracks:
01 Junkers Blues (Jack Dupree) 8:10
02 Sneaky Pete (Jack Dupree/King Curtis) 6:16
03 Everythings Gonna Be Alright (Jack Dupree/King Curtis) 5:29
04 Get With It (Jack Dupree/King Curtis) 3:33
05 Poor Boy Blues (Jack Dupree/King Curtis) 9:30
06 I'm Having Fun (Jack Dupree/King Curtis) 5:21
