Jazz Musician. A native of Houston, Texas, Amy was a talented saxophonist who could play styles of Be-bop, soprano, and soul-jazz. At a young age, he became interested in music and he began playing the clarinet, before moving onto the tenor sax. Educated in music at the Kentucky State College in Frankfort, Kentucky, he earned his Bachelor's Degree, and began teaching school in Tennessee. In the 1940s, he became more involved in music, but also worked as a postman on the side, and later joined the army. He also became involved in working in clubs in the Midwest and moved to Los Angeles, California, in the mid 1950s. In 1955, he began recording with Dizzy Gillespie, and Onzy Matthews and Roy Ayers in the 1960s. He also performed and recorded with Gerald Wilson from 1960 to 1966, and led his own jazz bands that featured Bobby Hutcherson, Victor Feldman, Jimmy Owens, Kenny Barron, among others. He also recorded with the group, Pacific Jazz and Verve. Two of his best music projects are his appearance on Carole King's single, "It's Too Late", from her album entitled, "Tapestry", and his last solo project entitled "Peace For Love" in 1994, an album that featured, his wife, Merry Clayton on vocals. A veteran of World War II, Amy also served in the United States Army. Other recordings by Amy include, "Very Frank", "Native Land", "Lonely Woman", "Set Call", "For Ayers Only", "Lisa", "Liberia", "Annsome", "Peace For Love", and "Slam." Curtis Amy passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer at the age of 72.
Jazz Musician. A native of Houston, Texas, Amy was a talented saxophonist who could play styles of Be-bop, soprano, and soul-jazz. At a young age, he became interested in music and he began playing the clarinet, before moving onto the tenor sax. Educated in music at the Kentucky State College in Frankfort, Kentucky, he earned his Bachelor's Degree, and began teaching school in Tennessee. In the 1940s, he became more involved in music, but also worked as a postman on the side, and later joined the army. He also became involved in working in clubs in the Midwest and moved to Los Angeles, California, in the mid 1950s. In 1955, he began recording with Dizzy Gillespie, and Onzy Matthews and Roy Ayers in the 1960s. He also performed and recorded with Gerald Wilson from 1960 to 1966, and led his own jazz bands that featured Bobby Hutcherson, Victor Feldman, Jimmy Owens, Kenny Barron, among others. He also recorded with the group, Pacific Jazz and Verve. Two of his best music projects are his appearance on Carole King's single, "It's Too Late", from her album entitled, "Tapestry", and his last solo project entitled "Peace For Love" in 1994, an album that featured, his wife, Merry Clayton on vocals. A veteran of World War II, Amy also served in the United States Army. Other recordings by Amy include, "Very Frank", "Native Land", "Lonely Woman", "Set Call", "For Ayers Only", "Lisa", "Liberia", "Annsome", "Peace For Love", and "Slam." Curtis Amy passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer at the age of 72.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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