The Opener
Studio album by Curtis Fuller
Released	End of September 1957[1]
Recorded	June 16, 1957
Studio	Van Gelder Studio Hackensack, New Jersey
Genre	Jazz
Length	36:56
Label	Blue Note BLP 1567
Producer	Alfred Lion[2]
Curtis Fuller chronology
Curtis Fuller and Hampton Hawes with French Horns (1957) The Opener (1957) Bone & Bari (1957)

The Opener is an album by American jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller, recorded on June 16, 1957 and released on Blue Note later that year—his debut for the label.^[3][4][5]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]

The AllMusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine states, "The Opener is trombonist Curtis Fuller's first album for Blue Note and it is a thoroughly impressive affair."^[6]

Track listing

All compositions by Curtis Fuller except as indicated

Side 1

1. "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" (Harold Adamson, Jimmy McHugh) – 6:52
2. "Hugore" – 6:43
3. "Oscalypso" (Oscar Pettiford) – 5:40

Side 2

1. "Here's to My Lady" (Rube Bloom, Johnny Mercer) – 6:43
2. "Lizzy's Bounce" – 5:25
3. "Soon" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 5:33

Personnel

Musicians

• Curtis Fuller – trombone
• Hank Mobley – tenor saxophone (except "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening", "Here's to My Lady")
• Bobby Timmons – piano
• Paul Chambers – bass
• Art Taylor – drums

Technical personnel

• Alfred Lion – producer
• Rudy Van Gelder – recording engineer
• Reid Miles – design
• Francis Wolff – photography
• Robert Levin – liner notes