December 15, 1934 – May 8, 2021

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Trombonist Curtis Debois Fuller was born December 15, 1934 in Detroit.

Fuller’s parents died when he was a child, and he was raised in a Detroit orphanage. He met Paul Chambers and Donald Byrd while still in school.

After moving to New York, Fuller played with Miles Davis and John Coltrane on Blue Note Records.

In the late 1960’s, Fuller toured with Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie.

First discovered by Alfred Lion of Blue Note Records playing with Miles Davis during the late 1950s Fuller became a sideman on record dates led by Sonny Clark and John Coltrane.

Fuller was also the first trombonist to be a member of the “Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet,” later becoming the sixth man in “Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers” with whom he would remain until 1965.

Fuller passed away in Detroit in May 2021.

Curtis Fuller is featured with “Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers” in 1963.

Personnel:

Freddie Hubbard, trumpet
Curtis Fuller, trombone
Wayne Shorter, saxophone
Cedar Walton, piano
Reggie Workman, double bass
Art Blakey, drums

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