Curtis Fuller – The Opener ( 1957 – Blue Note Records)

 

With Curtis Fuller’s leader album “The Opener “, Blue Note beat Prestige to the shops, rush-releasing in August 1957, by which time Fuller’s sideman credentials with the label also included albums with pianists Sonny Clark and Bud Powell. A month later, Fuller sealed his arrival on saxophonist John Coltrane’s Blue Train (Blue Note, 1957). Now,51 years after its original release, The Opener tells us why. Combining a fluent technique shaped by J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding, his own deep melodicism, a knowledge of trombone stylists stretching back to Tommy Dorsey and beyond, and an embrace of Coltrane’s recent harmonic initiatives, Fuller fashioned an enduring jewel. He was assisted by a superb band comprised of rising stars saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor.

Track List:
01 A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening

02 Hugore

03 Oscalypso 

04 Here’s to My Lady 

05 Lizzy’s Bounce 

06 Soon

Personnel:

Curtis Fuller (Trombone)

Hank Mobley (Sax Tenor)

Art Taylor (Drums)

Bobby Timmons (Piano)

Paul Chambers (Bass)

Original Release Date: June 16, 1957 (Label: Blue Note Records)
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