[Dixielandjazz] Ted Curson: R.I.P.-- John Blegen writes

Norman Vickers nvickers1 at cox.net
Mon Nov 5 07:08:36 PST 2012


To;         Musicians & Jazzfans list; DJML

From:  Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Clarinetist in Chicago area, John Blegen responds to news of trumpeter Ted Curson’s death.

 

From: John Blegen [mailto:jcblegen at sbcglobal.net] 
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2012 9:12 PM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: Re: Ted Curson: R.I.P.

 

Hi, Norman,

 

I'm sorry to hear the news about Ted Curson.  I always felt he deserved more recognition.  I heard him a couple of times in 1967 in Paris when I was a grad student.  He had a quintet at Au Chat Qui Peche, a little caveau in the Rue de La Huchette.  The rhythm section was French (I remember that the pianist was Georges Arvanitas), and Curson had brought baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola with him.  Brignola was marvelous, tremendous speed and fluency on that huge horn.  During a break I overheard the French musicians in the rhythm section raving about him.  Curson was equally amazing.  

 

A friend and I had been at the flea market and had bought a couple of horns.  One was a cornet with rotary valves that my friend wanted to keep and play, and the other was a gorgeous silver Besson trompette de cavalerie with different tuning slides for different keys.  We took it to Curson and tried to sell it to him.  He was sorely tempted, but he finally decided against it.  I have no idea what happened to it.  

 

John Blegen
 

 

 

 



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