Wilbur Harden

Wilbur Harden is really a mystery guy in jazz background, for he appeared on some essential recording classes (especially with John Coltrane) and, after 1960, pretty much disappeared. He performed R&B with Roy Dark brown (1950) and Ivory Joe Hunter, and served within the Navy. Harden surfaced in 1957, documenting with Yusef Lateef, and led four record times for Savoy in 1958; three had been with Coltrane (who became the first choice on reissues), and something within a quartet with Tommy Flanagan. In 1960, Wilbur Harden (who was simply among the initial trumpeters to frequently dual on flügelhorn) documented one name with Curtis Fuller, but ill health compelled him to retire at age 35.