Tony Curtis & Company
Florence, South Carolina, United States
Music
Press
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Discography
1977 - Along with five of his childhood friends decided to display their talents: singing, percussions, keyboard and string instruments by forming a group called “Inspiration” after attending many programs with various professional groups performing in Florence, South Carolina.
1987 - While stationed in Japan, Tony entered a talent contest and won first place for his rendition of “Bridge over Troubled Waters” by Simon and Garfunkel.
1990 - Moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he played for the “Smith Brothers” and “The Royal Travelers” of Memphis. He filled in as a bass player for the late “Orlando Draper” known for “My Soul Doeth Magnify the Lord” and “Douglas Miller” known for “My Soul is Anchored in the Lord”.
2000 - Along with a childhood friend, Henry Jones created an all male group, “Men of Vision”, which produced their first CD, “Lord, I’m Your Child” where six (6) songs were written by Tony.
2002 - Entered a talent contest on Carnival Cruise line and won first prize for his rendition of, “I Swear” by the group “All 4 One”, a Grammy Award winning R&B group.
2003 - Third group was formed, “Men of Vision and Prophecy”, which produced their first CD, “You Don’t Have to Cry”. The title song and five additional songs were written by Tony.
2004 - “Men of Vision and Prophecy” entered and won first prize at the “Black Family Expo 2004 Singoff” being awarded a trophy and four hours of recording time with NyCe Records in Florence, South Carolina. This produced a single, “Oh, Lord Fix Me”, which was recorded but not released.
2006 - Begin working on his solo career.
2009 - Introduced to Alvin Lee & the “Lee Boys” who are one of America’s finest African-American sacred steel ensembles performing at the Bull Durham Festival in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina and at “Fall for Green Festival” in Greenville, South Carolina October 2009.
2009 - Name changed name to “Tony Curtis & Company”.
Photos
Bio
Tony Curtis & Company was introduced to Alvin Lee and the “Lee Boys” who are one of America’s finest African-American sacred steel ensembles. Tony Curtis & Company performed with the Lee Boys at the Bull Durham Festival in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina September 2009 and at “Fall for Green Festival” in Greenville, South Carolina October 2009 and other events.
Today, Tony Curtis & Company continues developing their longtime relationship with the Lee Boys. Locally, Tony performs with Clay Brown and the Legend Band who are known for rhythm and blues beach music performing at the Annual Pecan Festival in Florence, South Carolina and the Elizabeth Baptist Church Male Chorus.
At the age of ten, Tony Curtis was inspired to play guitar when he and some of his childhood friends would go to different programs watching and listening to groups from the quartet era, one being the Dixie Hummingbirds. His mother purchased him his first guitar. His interest for music became even stronger in high school when he and five of his childhood friends formed a group called, “Inspiration” where they displayed their talents with singing, percussions, string instruments and keyboard; he realized his destiny was to write, sing and play.
Tony Curtis dedicates this long time dream in memory of his mother who always encouraged him to pursue his “music” dream. She said to him not long before she passed May 2009, “Son, never give up. Keep striving and you’ll get it. Don’t let anyone stop you!” This is when he changed the name to Tony Curtis & Company consisting of: Patricia (Pat) Nelson Washington (alto), who is the eldest daughter of the legendary sacred steel player, “Henry Nelson” and sister of the legendary “Aubrey Ghent & Friends”. Patricia sung with Tony in 2003 with Men of Vision & Prophecy; Jasmine Washington (soprano), one of the granddaughters of the late “Henry Nelson” and who is well versed in drums and Jacqueline (Jackie) Washington (tenor) another granddaughter of the late “Henry Nelson” and who is following in her grandfather’s and uncle’s footsteps playing the steel guitar carrying the family legacy as a female steel player.
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