Majestic saxophonist *“King” Curtis Montgomery* died tragically young but in his brief career etched indelible marks on pop music. From amiably manic instrumental breaks powering novelty hits by The Coasters to sophisticated improvisations recorded live behind Aretha Franklin and on his own, he helped define eras in R&B, soul, jazz, and rock. Born in 1934 in Fort Worth, Texas, he attended public schools where at 12 he took up saxophone, in time sometimes performing with fellow Terrell High student Ornette Coleman. Influenced by Illinois Jacquet, Lester Young, Louis Jordan, and other towering figures, he earned offers of college scholarships but instead joined Lionel Hampton’s band. Besides adapting to the touring life and becoming a producer, he learned to arrange and compose. Soon he had moved to New York City, drawn by Gotham’s busy recording studio scene. He played on sides marketed by Atco, Atlantic, Prestige, and Capitol, backing artists from Franklin, LaVern Baker, and Andy Williams to The Coasters. His “Yakety Yak” solo influenced Boots Randolph’s 1965 hit “Yakety Sax,” which in 1969 became the closing theme of comedian Benny Hill’s popular TV show. Montgomery charted under his own name with hits like “Memphis Soul Stew,” “Ode to Billy Joe,” “Soul Twist,” and “Soul Serenade.” He and guitarist Duane Allman played on Joe South’s “Games People Play.” On a lighter note, Montgomery contributed wittily tasteless riffs to a Mad Magazine parody single, “It’s a Gas.” The theme for the hit TV show “Soul Train” was a 1971 Montgomery original. That year Atlantic released the LP King Curtis Live at the Fillmore West, recorded with Aretha Franklin’s band, The Kingpins, during a stand at the legendary San Francisco showplace. That August, in a late-night confrontation with a man loitering outside his residence on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Curtis Montgomery was fatally stabbed. He was 37. — Michael Dolan

King Curtis – Soul Serenade
Album: Sweet Soul
Album Released August 1968 on Atlantic

_Written By:_ Curtis Ousley, Luther Dixon

_Performed By:_

King Curtis — saxophones
Haywood Henry — baritone sax
Mike Leech — bass
Gene Chrisman — drums
Reggie Young — guitar
Bobby Emmons — piano
Spooner Oldham — organ
Frank Wess — tenor sax
Benny Powell — trombone
Joe Newman — Trumpet

_Produced By:_
Arif Mardin and Bruce Tergsen

_Engineered By:_
Tommy Cogbill

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