Wilbur Harden

Wilbur Harden (December 31, 1924 in Birmingham, Alabama – June 10, 1969 in New York City) was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer.Harden is best remembered for his recordings with saxophonists Yusef Lateef and John Coltrane, and with trombonist Curtis Fuller. One of the earliest jazz trumpeters to double on flugelhorn, his playing became less frequent due to illness. He began his career with Roy Brown and Ivory Joe Hunter, before moving to Detroit in 1957 to play with Yusef Lateef's quintet. In late 1958, Harden fell seriously ill, spending four years under medical care. His last recording session took place in 1960 with Fuller's group, following a brief release from the hospital. Subsequently, he stopped playing and died in 1969, in New York City. He is a 1991 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.