About
"The Life and Times of Cullen Knight"
Cullen Knight, a native of Philadelphia, has been dubbed a "musician's musician" because of his extensive music experience in a variety of studio and live productions. Knight composed the music and produced his first recording sessions at the age of 20. The band was the "Cullen Knight Quartet": Cullen Knight –trumpet, Sam Dockery – piano, Skip Johnson – bass, and Sherman Ferguson – drums; selections from these early sessions are featured in Vol. 1 of the “Life and Times of Cullen Knight.” He went on to start “Tree Top Recorders”, and “Nu-Nite Productions” his production and publishing company. Cullen Knight was one of the first contemporary independent jazz producers.
Mr. Knight attended the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. He studied trumpet with Gilbert Johnson, the principal trumpet with the Philadelphia Orchestra for four years. He also studied with Samuel Krauss of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Knight majored in music at Mastbaum Jules E. Avts High School in Philadelphia and studied at the Settlement Music School. He graduated from Mastbaum with honors and became a member of the schools distinguished alumnus that includes – Johnny Coles, Ted Curson, Buddy Defranco, Henry Grimes, Arthur Harper, Lee Morgan, Red Rodney, Joe Wilder, and a host of others.
While in high school he became the youngest band leader at one of Philadelphia's premiere jazz clubs "The Web Bar" (the former "The Crystal Gardens") the band featured Odean Pope - tenor, and Mastbaum classmate Arthur Harper - bass.
Shortly after high school he joined the prestigious Uptown Theater Orchestra in Philadelphia – the trumpet section was Lamar Wright Sr., Wilmer Wise, Cullen Knight, and occasionally Johnny Coles. Cullen was with the band for five years and played on the classic Atlantic Records album “Saturday Night at The Uptown.”
Cullen Knight was the principal trumpet and featured jazz soloist with the Broadway Musical Company's New York production of the "Gershwin Gala" 1991 and 1992 (European touring company.) He was also the featured jazz soloist with the hit Broadway musical "Bubbling Brown Sugar"for its 1976 and 1986 runs in Philadelphia, and the shows' 1983, 84 and 85 European tours.
He has performed with: Kenny Barron, Cab Calloway, Sam Cook, Billy Daniels, Billy Eckstime, Marvin Gaye, Al Grey and Jimmy Forrest, Bull Moose Jackson, Illinois Jacquet, Philly Joe Jones, Michel LeGrand, Melba Liston, Hank Mobley, Don Patterson, Grover Washington Jr., Nancy Wilson, and Stevie Wonder. He has played in trumpet sections with–Johnny Coles, Ted Curson, Blue Mitchell, Dizzy Reese, Richard (Notes) Williams, Wilmer Wise, Lamar Wright Sr., and others.
In the USA: Knight has performed at such renowned venues as: The Academy of Music, Philadelphia and Carnegie Hall, New York City.
Internationally: he has been a featured jazz soloist at The Theatre Des Westerns – Berlin, Dennis Swing Club – Hamburg, The Stadthalle – Vienna, Al Teatro Sistina – Rome, Cirque Royal – Brussels, The Grand Casino – Geneva, as well as numerous venues in England, Holland, and Scandinavia.
Mr. Knight is currently writing, producing, and directing for Nu-Nite Productions/Cullen Knight Music in the USA and abroad. He is presently in the post production stage of two of his major works: the musical “Life, Deal With It, Live!” and the Jazz narrative with music and dance “2Canes.” Keep posted for the premiere of these works. Check with the Calendar to keep up to date with the happenings in the Life and Times of Cullen Knight.
Music and Dramatic Works: Cullen Knight has an extensive catalogue of original works; a number of his compositions and dramatic works are listed on this web site under - Recordings and Musicals.
Discography: “The Life and Times, of Cullen Knight – Vol. 1 & 2” is available on this web site. This 2 CD collection is a compilation of excerpts from 4 decades of recordings featuring Cullen Knight in the United States and abroad - Click below for credits and sound samples.
(CLICK HERE!) for 4 decades of Jazz from:
"The Life and Times of Cullen Knight Vol. 1 & 2"