Ted Curson

• EXTREMELY LIMITED 180 GRAM VINYL PRESSING

• LP EDITION - JAPANESE IMPORT

• INCLUDES 1 BONUS TRACK

Trumpeter Theodore “Ted” Curson (Philadelphia, June 3, 1935–New Jersey, November 4, 2012) is perhaps best known for recording and performing with Charles Mingus. He became interested in his instrument after watching a newspaper salesman play a silver trumpet.

Curson’s father, however, wanted his son to become an alto saxophone player like Louis Jordan. Finally, when Ted was 10 years old, he received his first trumpet. He attended the Granoff School of Music in Philadelphia.

At the suggestion of Miles Davis, Curson moved to New York in 1956. He performed and recorded with Cecil Taylor in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His 1964 Eric Dolphy tribute composition “Tears for Dolphy” (recorded shortly after the saxophonist’s untimely death on June 29, 1964 at the age of 36) has been used in numerous films.

Curson had worked and recorded with Dolphy on various projects in 1960-61, when both were playing with Charles Mingus. Born in 1927, reedman Bill Barron shares the frontline with Curson on this LP.

Barron recorded extensively with Philly Joe Jones and co-led a post-bop quartet with Curson. His younger brother, pianist Kenny Barron, appeared on all of the sessions that the elder Barron led. Other musicians he recorded with included Charles Mingus and Ollie Shearer. He died in 1989 at the age of 62.

PERSONNEL:

• TED CURSON - trumpet and pocket trumpet
• BILL BARRON - tenor sax & clarinet
• HERB BUSHLER - bass
• DICK BERK - drums

Acousti Studio, Paris, August 1, 1964

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. KASSIM
• A2. EAST 6th STREET
• A3. 7/4 FUNNY TIME
• A4. LIGHT BLUE (*)

• SIDE B
• B1. TEARS FOR DOLPHY
• B2. QUICKSAND
• B3. REAVA’S WALTZ

• (*) Bonus track. From the same session but not included on the original L