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.
