Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery, February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), known professionally as King Curtis, was an American saxophonist who played rhythm and blues, jazz and rock and roll. A bandleader, band member and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. A master of the instrument, he played tenor, alto and soprano saxophone. He performed riffs and solos on hit singles such as “Respect” by Aretha Franklin (1967), “Yakety Yak” by the Coasters (1958), and his own recordings “Soul Twist” (1962), “Soul Serenade” (1964) and “Memphis Soul Stew” (1967). King Curtis was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Ethel Montgomery, and was adopted — along with his sister Josephine Allen (d. 2019) — by Josie and William Ousley, whose surname he used throughout his life. He attended I.M. Terrell High School, where he studied and performed music with schoolmate Ornette Coleman (1930–2015). Curtis began playing saxophone at age twelve in the Fort Worth area. He developed an interest in multiple musical genres, including jazz, rhythm and blues and popular music. As a young musician, he turned down college scholarships to join the Lionel Hampton Band. During his time with Hampton, he wrote and arranged music and also learned guitar. In 1952, Curtis moved to New York, becoming a session musician and recording for labels such as Prestige, Enjoy, Capitol and Atco. He recorded with Nat Adderley, Wynton Kelly, Buddy Holly and Andy Williams, and played on Waylon Jennings’ first-ever recording in 1958.
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Memphis Soul Stew
When A Man Loves A Woman.
This is soul
Teasin
The Hucklebuck
Strollin’ Home
Peter Gunn
Home Cookin
Mr. Bojangles
In A Funky Groove
Harlem Nocturne
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