Malcolm Charles Cullen

R&B, Jazz and Blues guitarist-producer-arranger Malcolm Cullen, 72, passed away on April 2, 2024 in Northwest Fla. after a brief battle with cancer. He spent the last several years loving life on the Florida Gulf Coast with his spouse and dogs where he selectively played gigs; fished the Gulf and brackish waters; and expertly prepared and ate local seafood. 

Malcolm was born on March 21, 1952, in Memphis, Tenn. and raised in Oxford, Miss. where at a young age he excelled in academics, baseball and being an individualist. After watching The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, at the age of 11 Malcolm made the life-changing decision his profession would be that of a musician. He never wavered from that commitment. 

Graduating two years early from Oxford High School in 1968, Malcolm left for Europe and studied at Università per Stranieri di Perugia - Ufficio Stampa in Italy for two years. There he traveled extensively, experienced European food and culture, and became multi-lingual. In 1972, he earned a B.A. in English from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Malcolm later completed post-graduate work at Ole Miss in English and music, where he was an award-winning member of The Mississippians jazz band. To further his musical education and career, he studied classical guitar with Elias Barreiro at Tulane University and then at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London for three years. 

Moving to Los Angeles, Malcolm played in the famous Sunset Strip clubs and in recording studios in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. There he formed a band with Larry Taylor of Canned Heat fame, performed with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, toured with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra and recorded in the studio with Crosby, Stills & Nash. During this time, he was a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47. 

His musical style emanated from his place of birth so in the mid-80s he rediscovered his roots and moved back to the South. There he became a well-known guitar player on Beale Street and other venues in Memphis, including B.B. King’s Blues Club, Blues City, Lou’s Place, Joyce Cobb’s, and Rum Boogie, and was dubbed a “Memphis studio ace,” playing and producing. 

As a professional musician, he played with well-known recording artists, including Buddy Guy, Albert King, Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, Junior Wells, Billy Preston, the Drifters, the Platters, the Coasters, Bobby Rush, Son Seals and many others. 

In 1993, he was band leader and guitarist for the European tour of Soul singer/songwriter Ann Peebles, which included performing at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The band was introduced by Quincy Jones, who also lauded their performance backstage after the show. This was a highlight of his decades-long career. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Prof. Abbey Boyd Cullen, Jr. and Mari Kizman Cullen, and paternal grandparents, A.B. “Jenks” Cullen and Vivian Palmer Cullen, all of Oxford, Miss.; his maternal grandparents, Paul and Elizabeth Kizman of Baltimore, Md.; and his beloved dogs, Luther, Mojo and Chip. He leaves behind his spouse, Jacquelyn, and their two dogs. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd at Neil’s Music Room, 5725 Quince Road, Memphis, Tenn.

Memorial gifts may be made to: Memphis Blues Society Papa Don McMinn Musician Support Fund https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SC3J2TENAP8KS or MusiCares 3030 Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 99404 Attn: Development/musicians’ health & welfare fund