Curtis Fuller emerged during the 1950s as a leading hard bop trombonist. A native of Detroit,
Fuller was initially inspired by hearing
J.J. Johnson, who became a mentor for the young musician. This recording was completed only weeks before
Fuller went into the studio to record
John Coltrane's Blue Trane. The session is unique in its pairing of trombone with the baritone sax of
Tate Houston. The resultant front line sound is thick and rotund. The rhythm section of
Sonny Clark,
Paul Chambers and
Art Taylor had a lovely rapport; individually and collectively, these three made many important recordings in the late 1950s, especially for the Blue Note label. Highlights of
Bone & Bari include the title tune, penned by
Fuller, and the group's rendering of the standard "Heart and Soul."