The legacy that Ted Curson has amassed is based mostly on brushing up upon greatness. That's not a slight, but an apt observation considering the time that the trumpeter put in alongside some greats in addition to the well wishing (Miles Davis...) that others would give him. Curson, though, won't be recalled for anything beyond an aptitude for supporting other artists. And although he's recorded as a leader, beginning in the early '60s, even these efforts work as places for snobby jazz hacks to discover dates with some of their favorite players as side men. The 1961 disc Plenty of Horn is not different.

Curson put in a good deal of time with the Mingus ensembles of the '50s, recording on In a Soulful Mood as well as Mingus! and a few lesser efforts. But in addition to counting his boss as an important figure during this time, Curson was aside Dolphy as the multi instrumentalist was amidst his formative stage figuring out the ways in which he'd be able to manipulate the sax and flute. These ideas of Dolphy's would on occasion come to fruition with Mingus, but by the time that that had occurred, Curson had departed the ensemble.

Plenty of Horn, though, reunites the two players for just this session - although there are another few stray tracks of the two performing together that would be included on a subsequent Curson album. Coming at the dawning of jazz's new thing and considering the fact that Dolphy had almost cemented his approach to playing by this point, it would make sense that there would be a display of some sort - a musical spectacle. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Most of this is adept bop, with a few entertaining, if not all too noteworthy, digs by Dolphy.

Curson was a staid player, by and large, and this date revels in it. "Flatted Fifth" might be the one exception to that. As the leader composed this piece, it features an interesting progression that switches tempo on occasion, but still those shifts aren't as adventurous as anything that either Dolphy or Mingus would traffic in. But this offering does probably involve the most entertaining soloing on the disc. Curson's tinny trumpet spits blues fire as his band vamps a mid paced blues, allowing for Dolphy to join in at the bridge before taking a lick - albeit relatively traditional. There are a few moments when this sounds like the theme to the Pink Panther, but apart from that it's pretty palatable.

If one's tastes veer towards the traditional in the genre, this might be well placed in your collection. But even as the date features adept performances, there's nothing too memorable about the date. And as sad as it is to say, that pretty much sums up Curson's work over his career. He's still performing, though, which is more than can be said for any other individual mentioned herein. So he's got that going for him. But probably his own memories would be more entertaining to listen to that Plenty of Horn at this point.