Curtis Amy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Curtis Amy
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| Born | October 11, 1929 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | June 5, 2002 (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1950s–1970s |
| Labels | Pacific Jazz |
Curtis Amy (born October 11, 1929 – died June 5, 2002) was an American jazz musician. He was famous for playing the saxophone.
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About Curtis Amy
Curtis Amy was born in Houston, Texas, in the United States. He first learned to play the clarinet. While he was in the Army, he started playing the tenor saxophone. After leaving the Army, he went to Kentucky State College.
He worked as a teacher in Tennessee. At the same time, he played music in jazz clubs in the Midwest. In the mid-1950s, he moved to Los Angeles. There, he signed with Pacific Jazz Records, a record company. He often played with an organ player named Paul Bryant.
In the mid-1960s, Curtis Amy became the music director for Ray Charles' band. He worked with his wife, Merry Clayton, and another musician, Steve Huffsteter, for three years.
His Music Career
Besides leading his own bands, Curtis Amy also played on many other artists' songs. This is called "session work." He played saxophone solos on famous songs like The Doors' "Touch Me." He also played on Carole King's album Tapestry.
He worked on Lou Rawls' first albums, Black and Blue and Tobacco Road. He also played with other big names like Marvin Gaye, Tammy Terrell, and Smokey Robinson.
Curtis Amy was married to singer Merry Clayton until he passed away. Their son, Kevin Amy, also became a musician.
Curtis Amy's Albums
Curtis Amy released many albums during his career. Here are some of the albums he led and some where he played with other artists.
Albums Led by Curtis Amy
- The Blues Message (1960)
- Meetin' Here (1961)
- Groovin' Blue (1961)
- Tippin' on Through (1962)
- Way Down (1962)
- Katanga! (1963)
- The Sounds of Broadway/The Sounds of Hollywood (1965)
- Mustang (1966)
- Jungle Adventure in Music and Sound (1966)
- Peace For Love (1994)
Albums Where Curtis Amy Played with Others
- With Dizzy Gillespie
- Jazz Recital (1956)
- With Carole King
- Tapestry (1971)
- With The Doors
- He played the saxophone solo on their hit song "Touch Me."
- With Lou Rawls
- Black and Blue (1963)
- Tobacco Road (1963)
- With Gerald Wilson
- On Stage (1965)
- Feelin' Kinda Blues (1965)
See also
In Spanish: Curtis Amy para niños
