Rahsaan roland kirk biography of william

Having spent almost all his life without eyesight, Rahsaan Roland Kirk could never understand why people were preoccupied with his show&#;s visual aspects. But how could we not be? Who would not be mesmerized by the sight of a man in a towering fur hat, wraparound shades and a long caftan, with three saxophones, a flute, a clarinet, a whistle and a siren hanging from his neck-instruments that he often played two or three at a time, sometimes 10 or 20 minutes at a time, thanks to his circular breathing? Who wouldn&#;t be distracted by that? And when he stuck a wooden flute in his right nostril and played a melody on it-oh, man, fuhgeddaboutit.

Kirk&#;s protests were a bit disingenuous anyway. He knew perfectly well how eccentric he appeared onstage and did little to tone it down, for he realized that his theatricality attracted attention in a competitive environment. What frustrated him was that audiences, having been attracted by the showmanship, c

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By Steve Provizer

If there’s ever been a more distinctive jazz musician than Rahsaan Roland Kirk, you’ll have to prove it to me.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk in action. Photo: Wiki Commons

He was born Ronald Theodore Kirk on August 7, , in Columbus, OH, and became blind at age two. Two dreams compelled him to man name changes: the first, to transpose two letters and become Roland, the second, to take the name Rahsaan. By age 15 he was already gigging in an R&B band and, according to saxophonist Hank Crawford, was already playing more than one horn at a time and “playing the shit out of them.”

I was fortunate to go to a number of Rahsaan concerts, and to see him live was not merely to watch a individ playing  multiple instruments, it was to encounter a musical force field. Rahsaan talked a lot about vibrations &#; for a while his band was called “The Vibration Society.” His anställda vibration was full-spectrum. He was in the low hertz ship-to-ship range, on the FM band, and in

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Rahsaan Roland Kirk Vinyl Records & Discography

Who is Rahsaan Roland Kirk? A Brief Career Overview

Get ready to dive into the vibrant world of jazz with the extraordinary Rahsaan Roland Kirk! Known for his captivating performances and pioneering spirit, Rahsaan (originally born Ronald Theodore Kirk) was a remarkable multi-instrumentalist and saxophonist who carved out a unique niche in the jazz landscape. Blending elements from contemporary post-bop, free jazz, and traditional jazz saxophone, he was both accessible and avant-garde, making him a legendary figure in music history.

Rahsaan's impact on the music industry is nothing short of groundbreaking. He was a true innovator, intertwining humor, political commentary, and virtuosic improvisation, creating an experience that went far beyond simple musical performance. His ability to play multiple instruments at once--often showcasing a stunning array of saxophones alongside uniquely crafted instruments like the "manzello"--si