Biography

After cutting his teeth with Lionel Hampton's band, and lending his talents to various R&B sessions, sax player and band leader King Curtis hooked up with Atlantic Records, released his own excellent recordings, and became the leader of Aretha Franklin's backing band, producing and co-producing several of her finest albums. Playing buoyant, soulful instrumental versions of popular rock and soul tracks, Curtis was one of the few straight instrumentalists to find great success in the worlds of rock and R&B rather than jazz. One of the most influential sax players in rock history, Curtis was tragically murdered in New York City in 1971.

Top Tracks

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• African Waltz

• Azure

• Castle Rock

• Chili

• Harlem Nocturne

• Have You Heard?

• Honky Tonk

• Hot Potato (piping Hot)

• I Stand Accused

• Jay Walk

• Jersey Bounce

• Let's Twist Again

• Little Brother Soul

• Memphis Soul Stew

• Midnight Blue

• Night Train

• Ode To Billy Joe

• On Broadway

• Rocky Roll

• Soul Serenade

• Soul Twist

• Spanish Harlem

• Stompin' At The Savoy

• The Girl From Ipanema

• The Monkey Shout

• The Party Time Twist

• Them Changes

• Unchained Melody

• Walkin' With Mr. Lee

• Watermelon Man

• What'd I Say, Pt.1

• What'd I Say, Pt.2

• Wobble Twist

Discography

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• Live in New York

  P-Vine Records

  1985

• Blues at Montreux

  Atlantic

  1973

• Mr. Soul

  Ember

  1972

• Everybody's Talkin'

  Rhino Atlantic

  1971

• Get Ready

  Wounded Bird Records

  1970

• Soul Time

  Great American Music

  197?

• Sweet Soul

  Atco

  1968

• Plays Great Memphis Hits

  Atco

  1967

• King Size Soul

  Atco

  1967

• Live at Small's Paradise

  Atco

  1966

• Plays Hits Made by Sam Cooke

  1965

• Country Soul

  Capitol

  1962

• Old Gold

  Tru Records

  1961

• Music for Dancing: The Twist

  The Shout / Shout! Records

  1961

• King Soul

  Prestige Records

  1960

• Soul Meeting

  JVC Compact Discs

  1960

• Have Tenor Sax, Will Blow

  Atco

  1959