Wilbur Harden

All Music Guide:

Wilbur Harden is a mystery man in jazz history, for he appeared on some important recording sessions (most notably with John Coltrane) and then, after 1960, pretty well disappeared. He played R&B with Roy Brown (1950) and Ivory Joe Hunter, and then served in the Navy. Harden emerged in 1957, recording with Yusef Lateef, and led four record dates for Savoy in 1958; three were with Coltrane (who became the leader on reissues), and one in a quartet with Tommy Flanagan. In 1960, Wilbur Harden (who was one of the first trumpeters to regularly double on flügelhorn) recorded one title with Curtis Fuller, but then ill health forced him to retire at the age of 35.

Wikipedia:

Wilbur Harden (December 31, 1924, Birmingham, Alabama - June 1969, New York City) was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer.

Harden is most known for his recordings with saxophonists Yusef Lateef and John Coltrane, and also with trombonist Curtis Fuller. One of the first jazz trumpeters to double on flugelhorn, Harden started playing less frequently due to illness. He started 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 whole years under medical care. His last recording session took place in 1960 with Curtis Fuller's group, following a brief release from the hospital. After that, he quit playing and died in 1969 in New York, completely forgotten by the jazz world.

He is a 1991 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.