I play sax. I am now 77. I played with Curtis on gigs with Tito Puente when Tito augmented the size of the band. It was a thrill to sit in front of him and hear that sound I grew up with, starting with the Jazztet on the Ed Sullivan television show(those were the days). He was a great guy to hang with on tour. I remember walking around San Antonio, Texas with him. He invited me to come sit in with him and Junior Cook at the Star Cafe on 14th Street. And i learned so much from them. I was so lucky! Oh I forgot, I heard him at Birdland with Art Blakey when I was 16. My Mom convinced my Dad to let me go to Manhattan alone during Christmas vacation. And then get to play with him when I was 36, it just is incredible!!!!!!
Hey my brother, I just discovered your channel. I am an electric bassist, a work in progress, learning on my own, I purchased one of his box set because I heard him on blue train his sound reminds me of an electric bass I told my good friend who is a keyboard player both our minds were blown. Thank for the tribute, I'm working with Barry Harris' method, Barry play on Curtis' album. My father play piano so well, in Harlem, they call him Count, after you know who. He never taught use and didn't have any success you can probably guess why problems.
Thanks for checking out the video. If you're learning via the Barry Harris method, you're in good hands. The Detroit jazz scene was probably one of the most important in history.
Everyone has their favorite artist. Mine changes from time to time. But I always count Curtis one of my favorites. He will be missed. Thank you for putting this together. I'm listening to volume 3 as I type this.
Yeah. One of the first players I recall listening to-starting with the Messengers albums. Thing about Curtis’s playing-the more I listen to him, the more I appreciate him. And I’ve always loved his tune Arabia. Thanks for putting this out.
When starting out with trombone, I found a JJ Johnson LP, in my mom’s collection. I was floored! So, of course, he became I idol (still is). I discovered other bone players, as I got older and Curtis Fuller was one, but I didn’t listen to him much. Well, fast forward a couple of decades and I was a member of a local blues band. At a gig and in between sets a guy came up to me and gave me a quarter. I looked at him, like “huh?” The man said, the way I was playing my quarter notes, it reminded him of Curtis Fuller! All I could say was, “Wow” and “Thank You!” Since I didn’t follow him, I had no idea I sounded sorta like him. Anyway, thanks for that tribute! His legacy will live on!! I still have that quarter, by the way!😊
Thanks for this great video, Dion. Like many, I first heard Curtis on Blue Train. That huge, dark sound combined with incredible technique and soulful musicality. For me, he's the best trombonist ever. I was fortunate to hear Curtis perform at the 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival. One of my favourite tunes by him is Benny Golson's Five Spot After Dark. B minor blues! I've played it many times. Thanks again!
It’s funny you mention “Five Spot After Dark”. Check out my interview with George Bohanon. He tells a funny story about playing that song in the wrong key with Benny Golson.
@@TheChopsShop Haha that's great. We've probably all tried to avoid playing in the key of B at one time or another. Great interview, looking forward to part 2. -Mike Stone
Very Good Content my Brother! This is a touching tribute to Curtis Fuller! Since you also are influenced by Slide Hampton have you experimented also with Large equipment? I do understand that you play lead a lot in groups and that would normally dictate what you use. I am interested in the topic of using large equipment for jazz.... There are a few disciples of Slide Hampton that followed this specifically people in the Original World of Trombones... I think it would be interesting if you did a video on that subject of World of Trombones of which (as you know) Curtis Fuller was a part.... along with many greats... you know them all. GOD Bless You
I’m glad you’re enjoying the content. I’ve never played large equipment so I’m really not the best person to ask but I general it will give you a warm sound which works in certain situations. In modern settings with amplification and musicians playing too loud😏 sometimes it’s hard to cut through with big equipment. My goal is to not have to work too hard when I play. Whatever setup helps you achieve that I say go for it. A video about The World Of Trombones is a great idea, thank you for that!
@@TheChopsShop @The Chops Shop Hey Dion, It would be great if you dealt with both iterations of World of Trombones. I believe it would be great for you to interview Janice Robinson... Slide Credited her for "playing the tough lead trombone " In the original World of Trombones.
Dion, Here is another humble idea of me trying to help you build your channel.... A video about Melba Liston would be very interesting to your audience... IMHO
Great as Fuller was in technique and the rest, I still believe that Frank Rosolino was even superior in all those aspects. That does not diminish Fuller. It is just that no matter how high a mountain is, you always can find taller one.
