A legend of the showband era
BILLY Curtin was one of Tralee’s foremost talents and a legend of the Showband era whose long career saw him travel the world with his trademark brand of jazz saxophone.
Billy Curtin’s musical odyssey began in the 1950’s when he travelled to the United States where he became a fixture on the Chicago music scene.
He spent close to eight years in the United States, touring with various bands including the Embassy 7 and making his way though 16 states.
In the early sixties Billy Curtin joined the band of Johnny Tillotson and took part in the recording session for Tillotson’s hit single ‘Poetry in Motion’ in 1961.
On his return to Ireland he joined the Galway based Showband the Swingtime Aces and after several years touring with them he joined Cork based band The Arrivals.
The Arrivals, were one of the best known acts of the Showband era and Billy Curtin remained with them until the band broke up in 1971. His time with the band included a tour of the US and a hit single in the shape of the band’s1966 song ‘My Wishful Dreaming’.
Following the break up of The Arrivals, Billy, brother of Las Vegas-based showband legend DJ Curtin and a close friend of the late Christie Hennessy, went on to form his own band which became well known across Ireland for the big brass sound he helped create.
He also played with the Guinness Jazz Band and was a regular fixture at The Rose of Tralee and charity events across county Kerry.
In 2001 he was invited to meet President Mary Mcallese at Áras an Uachtaráin and in 2003 he was honoured for his role in the festival when he was presented with a Golden Rose award.
In recent years he also regularly performed with the Kerry School of Music and Tralee Musical Society.