Opener

Curtis Fuller was one of the premier trombonists in 1960s and `70s global hard-bop. Before that, however, he was an import from Detroit--a promising musician rising in the New York scene. Recorded in 1957, THE OPENER was Fuller's debut, wherein he was backed by a mix of big names (Paul Chambers from Miles Davis's band, drummer Art Taylor) and fellow up-and-comers like soul pianist Bobby Timmons and saxophonist Hank Mobley. Fuller's fiery, brassy trombone mixes well with the tasty, soft-centered tenor of Hank Mobley and the brisk, earthy swing of Timmons, Chambers, and Taylor.