Curtis Stigers
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Curtis Stigers (born October 18, 1965 in Boise, Idaho) is an American jazz vocalist / saxophonist / guitarist / songwriter.
Stigers started his music career as a teenager, playing in jazz, rock and blues groups as well receiving formal training in clarinet and saxophone at high school in Boise, Idaho. He acquired much of his inspiration and encouragement for pursuing jazz from jam sessions led by Gene Harris at the Idanha Hotel. His song "Tenth and Main" is a tribute to these special times with Harris. After graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue rock music but soon found himself playing and singing in a jazz trio. He was signed by Arista Records and released two albums for the label: a self-titled, multi-platinum debut in 1991, and Time Was in 1995. His smooth, blend of soul and rock translated into commercial appeal, ensuring his continued popularity. In addition, Stigers moonlighted as a jazz vocalist, performing and recording with artists like Gene Harris, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Prince, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, The Allman Brothers Band and Joe Cocker.
According to Will Birch's seminal book on pub rock No Sleep Till Canvey Island, the royalties from Curtis Stigers's version of the song, (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding, made songwriter Nick Lowe independently wealthy. Stigers's version appeared on the soundtrack album for the film The Bodyguard, which sold 17 million copies in the United States alone.
Stigers also appears on The Bodyguard and Dawson's Creek soundtracks. In his solo career, he has popularized tunes such as "I Wonder Why", which reached #5 in the UK and "You're All That Matters To Me", which reached #6 as the follow-up single.
- Never Saw a Miracle (1992)
- Curtis Stigers (Arista, 1992)
- Time Was (Arista, 1995)
- Brighter Days (1999) (Columbia. 1999)
- All That Matters (BMG/Camden, 2001)
- Baby Plays Around (Concord, 2001)
- Secret Heart (Concord, 2002)
- You Inspire Me (Concord, 2003)
- I Think It's Going to Rain Today (Concord, 2005)
- Real Emotional (Universal, 2007)
[edit] Trivia
- In 2006 Stigers participated in the BBC show Just the Two of Us, where he sang with journalist Penny Smith.
