Curtis Fuller

American jazz trombonist
Born December 15, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, died May 8, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan, USA

In a Jesuit orphanage from the age of 9 for several years after the death of both parents. Discouraged from playing the violin, he became intrigued by his instrument after seeing J.J. Johnson perform with Illinois Jacquet; he was taught by Frank Rosolino. Left Detroit, and settled in New York City in April 1957 (then a member of Yusef Lateef's group) and led or co-led eight albums by the end of the year for Prestige, Blue Note and Savoy Records. After working with The Jazztet, he joined Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers from 1961 to 1964 when the group functioned as a sextet. Until after he had died, Fuller was thought to have been born in 1934.