Reginald Curry, jazz bassist

JAZZ IN Philadelphia has a rich tradition, packed with great practitioners of the art, and one of the artists who made it jump was Reggie Curry.

His bass lent dynamic riffs to a number of jazz groups that graced local clubs and jazz festivals with sweet sounds over the decades.

Jazz fandom might be dwarfed by those who favor soul and R&B, rap and rock 'n' roll, but it constitutes a following of devotees who can recite the names of Philadelphia icons, including John Coltrane, Khan Jamal, Jimmy Oliver, Tony "Stick Man" Wyatt and, of course, Reggie Curry; his late stepfather, James "Suggie" Rhoads, also on bass; and his uncle, Earl Curry, who played with Count Basie, among others, on drums.

Reginald Curry, who followed the family trade for more than 30 years, a mental-health aide for Volunteers of America, and a devoted family man, died Oct. 18 of liver failure. He was 58 and lived in Olney.

Reggie was also a jazz composer. While with the group the Sound of Freedom, he dedicated the compositions "Suggie's Soul 'n' Blues" to his late stepfather, and "Jamil" to his son.

His association with this group - which included pianist Bernard Samuel, drummer "Stick Man" Wyatt and saxophonist Marion Salaam - was a most productive and fertile part of his career.

Reggie was a Philly product and he never went on tour, sticking strictly to clubs, jazz festivals and benefits in and around his native city.

He was born in Philadelphia to Joan Veronica Curry and Homer Taylor. He graduated from Bishop Neumann High School, now Ss. Neumann Goretti High.

He began to study the bass with his stepfather, who had played with Coltrane and Charlie Parker, among others, and later took classes at the Model Cities art program with another jazz icon, Jymie Merrit.

Reggie began playing professionally while still a teenager.

He was a much sought-after sideman when he played on bandstands and in recording studios, lending rhythmic backup for lead musicians including vibraphonist Khan Jamal and avant-garde drummer Sonny Murray.

He also enjoyed long associations with Jimmy Oliver, pianist Sam Dockery, and his uncle Earl, with whom he had a long-running gig at the West Philadelphia jazz club the Top Shelf, at 36th and Market streets.

Reggie played with bebop legend Charlie Chisholm (trumpet, flugelhorn) in the Royal Jazz Band. He was part of what were described as "wall-to-wall jazz musicians" in 1993 in a tribute concert to benefit "Cousin Mary" Alexander and the John Coltrane Cultural Society at the Mill Creek Jazz and Cultural Society, on Lancaster Avenue.

(Mary Alexander, a cousin of Coltrane's, had suffered a stroke. She was the subject of Coltrane's "Cousin Mary" number on his "Giant Steps" album.)

Over the years, Reggie played with Khan Jamal in the Sunny Murray Quartet and the Untouchable Factor, in the '80s, and is heard on numerous jazz albums.

"He was a good father, a good provider," said his brother, Darryl Curry. "He was a responsible, good-natured person."

Besides his brother and son, Jamil, he is survived by another son, Jakyle Curry; his former wife, Evette Curry; his companion, Sherrie Grimes; and two grandchildren.

Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. tomorrow at True Light Fellowship Church, 6100 Ardleigh St. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Interment will be private.