I saw him in the mid sixties at the Vanguard when at the end of the last set he continued to play his tenor while he he packed up his other instruments. He was an amazing person, he did a lot of afternoon appearances so that young under age kids could experience his music and he always brought his band with him. One of the all time greats!
I still don't call him Rahsaan. I first heard him in Cleveland and immediately got his records on Mercury. "YOu Did It", etc. I was mesmerized. I was so in love! I bought every recording through "Rip Rag and Panic". After that..I don't know what happened. He died. He was a magician, a wonder worker, a swami, a genius! Think about the aforementioned album. Elvin Jones, Jaki Byard and Richard Davis. Are you kidding me? What an album that was!
He didn’t die until ‘78 if I remember correctly. So much more music after the 65 masterpiece. He didn’t make bad music even after the stroke. Saw him in Vermont in ‘77 and he was only playing one sax as his side was still paralyzed. His life was short and I’m not criticizing you, merely stating his entire catalog is gold. Shalom
As another person commented, “ an absolute force of nature”. I was lucky enough to catch Rahsaan Roland Kirk at Sydney Town Hall Approx early 70’s. I still remember the concert. Such a unique and wonderful musician.
One of my 5 favorite sax players along with Coltrane, Dolphy, Rollins and Joe Henderson. "Bright Moments" and "Prepare Thyself To Deal With A Miracle" are probably my favorite albums of his. That said, most all of his albums have a varying degree of greatness and they're all worth a listen.
@@JazzVideoGuy I've never heard that one, but I DID buy "Prepare Thyself .. " in the mid-'70s and instantly regretted it. I bought it on the basis of having heard a couple of B Irish B&W jazz documentaries, as a kid during the 1950s, at which juncture, at the age of 12 or 13, I found him STEAMINGLY BRILLIANT, so I'm (maybe mistakenly!) ASSUMING, Bret, that the EXCELLENT B&W clips which conclude your video are from roughly the same period( Many thanks as just about always!! That collaboration with Pharaoh was ALSO steaming !! Great stuff and please kee on keeping that kind of driving genius more widely known about! 👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃
I can remember seeing this back in '75 as if it was last year & it reminded me of the first time I ever heard jazz played on bagpipes but I had to do a double take as this was a man playing multiple woodwind instruments at the same time. A real colossus that transcended the sound world. It should really be titled the three tenors as the late great maestro Bill Watrous also played the tenor................trombone😉
@@bobcosmic I'm so old I knew Basie before he could count. I'm so old my social security number onlly has three digits. I'm so old Moses was in my high school graduating class.
@@JazzVideoGuy I'm still older than you. I was there when that voice said Let there be light & then the voice said let us make man & I was even responsible for introducing Adam to Eve (what a mistake that was) I should of had her for myself and left Adam to do the gardening🤦🏾♂
I saw him live three times. Once at the Morgan State Jazz festival in 1970 or so. He brought the audience to their feet when he went into the tag ending of "Hey Jude." A couple of years later I heard in the Famous Ballroom at Baltimore's Left Band Society. A couple of year after that at SUNY Buffalo. Someone called in a bomb threat at the end of the show. During the show he moved to the edge of the stage and played the tenor with one hand and held out the other so people could shake his hand. The most dynamic performer I've ever seen.
@@JazzVideoGuy Indeed it was. I wrote about the Morgan State performance in my book on Jazz, Beethoven's Anvil. If you search on "Ecstasy at Baltimore’s Left Bank Jazz Society" you can read about Rahsaan there, also Dizzy, Duke, Maynard, and Mingus. Diz strapped a conga around his waist and walked out into the audience. Came back with a bunch of kids who followed him on stage and danced.
There was lounge band in Las Vegas that burned Oleo and the trumpet player played electric bass with one hand and just torched a trumpet solo! Roland blew my mind and I saw/heard him every chance I could.
I was fortunate enough to see Rahsaan several time at Baltimore's Left Bank Jazz Society. I loved his music so much, I named my daughter, Rashanikka, after him...
thank you so much Bret for these timeless clips of these Masters. I had the honour of watching Roland Kirk perform at the Country Club Belsize Park London back in the day. He certainly made a massive impression on my young self that has stayed with me throughout life. A genius that I have never forgotten, always at the back of my mind for 50 years.
This particular performance of Pedal Up is just some of the most powerfull straight ahead heavy jazz, the highlight of the full broadcast. Bright Moments to me is a top 10 album, (not to belittle anything or missplace or idk how to say it) but to me its kind of is Rahsaan's A Love Supreme(not that its the same thing), its just a perfect moment in time capturing the true escense and mastery of the leader, a true offering to the higher beyond with an utmost important message to live by to all... Bright Moments!
I was born in 1960. When i was in my late teens i got " into" jazz music .my first purchase was a Dolphy double lp. Then i heard Rahsaan. I was smitten. Sadly he died shortly after that. I never got to see him live Tho i did see Mingus live twice in fact. Long live Roland Kirk
A living spirit in human form. I was blessed to see him perform 3 times here's true pointmybuddyCt greatest jazz drummer Larry Dinataĺi play with him and blew our minds
There is a clip I remember, when he switches mainly to the tenor, moving his right hand perfectly to the top of the microphone to move it closer to the sax... Yes his sound explorations are unique and go beyond and further than that. Loved and adored every note he ever played ....
Great video! Thanks. Saw Rahsaan live around the late 70s at the Village Vanguard. Loved what he did with "I'll Be Seeing You" and "There Will Never Be Another You," too. Him and Sonny -- what a combination!
I began listening to his music when I was in college, beginning in 1972. I collected Jazz albums, while I was attending OU, in Athens, Ohio. I had no idea he was born in Columbus, Ohio, at the time. I eventually attended The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio, for graduate school in 1977. I met people there who lived in town, who said he'd pop in and play in his home town. Local Jazz venues, clubs and some outdoors events. If I had been lucky I could have seen him perform, unfortunately, he died in (maybe, December) of 1977, at age 42.
I loved Rahsaan from jumpstreet! It took me awhile to get to Rollins imagine that!. I wasn't mature enough to hear solo sax playing melody then busting the changes. Lol I got into Jazz related tunes before the actual artistry. People have to look at the artistry, expression. Rahsaan is look down as a charlatan to some , a wild man. Sonny was established before Coltrane and at one point the critics who first criticized Coltrane, wanted Sonny and (everybody else) to play like Coltrane! Sad many didn't understand Rahsaan but could not deny his musicianship.
I was curious about having Sonny Rollins together with Kirk because when I saw both of them at the Village Gate, Sonny took a breathtakingly brilliant set of solos for an hour and a half. When Kirk came on next, he was furious because sets usually lasted 45 minutes. He was so angry that he picked up a concert grand Steinway and crashed it down to the ground. (It was okay). Kirk went on to play a brilliant set of his own.
Hello Brett. The tenor mouthpiece is ok. I love the sound of the soprano. I was advised to buy a soprano mouthpiece just to do exercises. It's very hard on the zygomatic muscles. 😬And at the ninth minute + 11 seconds. I see the guy playing tenor, alto and soprano at the same time, knowing that you have to send enough air in the 3 instruments. It's crazy.
I am in awe of anyone who can sustain circular breathing, I tried once with a didgeridoo and found it impossible, let alone a brass instrument which takes power.
I saw him in the mid sixties at the Vanguard when at the end of the last set he continued to play his tenor while he he packed up his other instruments. He was an amazing person, he did a lot of afternoon appearances so that young under age kids could experience his music and he always brought his band with him. One of the all time greats!
I am very jealous!
My buddy Jimmi Hopps( Esprit) played drums with Brother Rahsaan and told me some fantastic stories about him !! What a blessing he was !!
I still don't call him Rahsaan. I first heard him in Cleveland and immediately got his records on Mercury. "YOu Did It", etc. I was mesmerized. I was so in love! I bought every recording through "Rip Rag and Panic". After that..I don't know what happened. He died. He was a magician, a wonder worker, a swami, a genius! Think about the aforementioned album. Elvin Jones, Jaki Byard and Richard Davis. Are you kidding me? What an album that was!
Rip Rig and Panic, on Limelight Records is incredible. How to go wrong with that rhythm section.
@@JazzVideoGuy A great album! Those Limelights were good stuff.
He didn’t die until ‘78 if I remember correctly. So much more music after the 65 masterpiece. He didn’t make bad music even after the stroke. Saw him in Vermont in ‘77 and he was only playing one sax as his side was still paralyzed. His life was short and I’m not criticizing you, merely stating his entire catalog is gold. Shalom
When McCoy plays, the instrument is called FORTE.
As another person commented, “ an absolute force of nature”.
I was lucky enough to catch Rahsaan Roland Kirk at Sydney Town Hall Approx early 70’s. I still remember the concert. Such a unique and wonderful musician.
What can u say about the great Rasaan? What a fascinating human!!!
He was a force of nature!! I shook hands with Him and it was enlightening
One of my 5 favorite sax players along with Coltrane, Dolphy, Rollins and Joe Henderson. "Bright Moments" and "Prepare Thyself To Deal With A Miracle" are probably my favorite albums of his. That said, most all of his albums have a varying degree of greatness and they're all worth a listen.
Totally agree. Bright Moments is a masterpiece.
@@JazzVideoGuy I've never heard that one, but I DID buy "Prepare Thyself .. " in the mid-'70s and instantly regretted it. I bought it on the basis of having heard a couple of B Irish B&W jazz documentaries, as a kid during the 1950s, at which juncture, at the age of 12 or 13, I found him STEAMINGLY BRILLIANT, so I'm (maybe mistakenly!) ASSUMING, Bret, that the EXCELLENT B&W clips which conclude your video are from roughly the same period(
Many thanks as just about always!! That collaboration with Pharaoh was ALSO steaming !! Great stuff and please kee on keeping that kind of driving genius more widely known about! 👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃👍😃
"British", and "1960s". Sorry! I'm not EVEN drunk/stoned!
I can remember seeing this back in '75 as if it was last year & it reminded me of the first time I ever heard jazz played on bagpipes but I had to do a double take as this was a man playing multiple woodwind instruments at the same time. A real colossus that transcended the sound world. It should really be titled the three tenors as the late great maestro Bill Watrous also played the tenor................trombone😉
You're that old?
@@JazzVideoGuy Yup, I'm so old that I knew Colonel Sanders when he was a private and Burger King when he was a Prince😉
@@bobcosmic I'm so old I knew Basie before he could count. I'm so old my social security number onlly has three digits. I'm so old Moses was in my high school graduating class.
@@JazzVideoGuy I'm still older than you. I was there when that voice said Let there be light & then the voice said let us make man & I was even responsible for introducing Adam to Eve (what a mistake that was) I should of had her for myself and left Adam to do the gardening🤦🏾♂
@@JazzVideoGuy 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I saw that TV show when it originally aired. Rahsaan Roland Kirk - a unique genius.
I saw him live three times. Once at the Morgan State Jazz festival in 1970 or so. He brought the audience to their feet when he went into the tag ending of "Hey Jude." A couple of years later I heard in the Famous Ballroom at Baltimore's Left Band Society. A couple of year after that at SUNY Buffalo. Someone called in a bomb threat at the end of the show. During the show he moved to the edge of the stage and played the tenor with one hand and held out the other so people could shake his hand. The most dynamic performer I've ever seen.
So glad you had the opportunity to see him live. Quite an experience!
@@JazzVideoGuy Indeed it was. I wrote about the Morgan State performance in my book on Jazz, Beethoven's Anvil. If you search on "Ecstasy at Baltimore’s Left Bank Jazz Society" you can read about Rahsaan there, also Dizzy, Duke, Maynard, and Mingus. Diz strapped a conga around his waist and walked out into the audience. Came back with a bunch of kids who followed him on stage and danced.
My Buddy and I took our prom dates to the Vanguard to see Roland Kirk after the prom…in 1974!
How cool is that?
Kirk was a great one of a kind. Loved to hear him.
Rahsaan was a force of nature! Glad I got to see him once before the stroke and one time after, he gave it his all!
Dang that’s Stanley Clarke jamming with Rahsaan! And McCoy Tyler👊🏾amazing
yes!
Yes it is
There was lounge band in Las Vegas that burned Oleo and the trumpet player played electric bass with one hand and just torched a trumpet solo! Roland blew my mind and I saw/heard him every chance I could.
Ah, Vegas, the old days.
Work Song
A hard act to follow!
for sure
I was fortunate enough to see Rahsaan several time at Baltimore's Left Bank Jazz Society. I loved his music so much, I named my daughter, Rashanikka, after him...
thank you so much Bret for these timeless clips of these Masters. I had the honour of watching Roland Kirk perform at the Country Club Belsize Park London back in the day. He certainly made a massive impression on my young self that has stayed with me throughout life. A genius that I have never forgotten, always at the back of my mind for 50 years.
This particular performance of Pedal Up is just some of the most powerfull straight ahead heavy jazz, the highlight of the full broadcast.
Bright Moments to me is a top 10 album, (not to belittle anything or missplace or idk how to say it) but to me its kind of is Rahsaan's A Love Supreme(not that its the same thing), its just a perfect moment in time capturing the true escense and mastery of the leader, a true offering to the higher beyond with an utmost important message to live by to all...
Bright Moments!
Straight up madness!! I love it!! Thank you for the post!! 💖
glad you dig
I was born in 1960. When i was in my late teens i got " into" jazz music .my first purchase was a Dolphy double lp. Then i heard Rahsaan. I was smitten. Sadly he died shortly after that. I never got to see him live Tho i did see Mingus live twice in fact. Long live Roland Kirk
Look at Stanley. Hes sooo young here
What a great tribute to one of our great musical treasures. Very much missed.
Jazz has produced a number of remarkable creators and Rahsaan is on the ten best list, for sure.
It was a fascinating experience to see Roland Kirk play live ... unforgettable!
Absoutely incredible. What a spirit.
Ahhhhh work song, with Sonny ,,, I'm on the floor crying...
Big Master!
A living spirit in human form. I was blessed to see him perform 3 times here's true pointmybuddyCt greatest jazz drummer Larry Dinataĺi play with him and blew our minds
There is a clip I remember, when he switches mainly to the tenor, moving his right hand perfectly to the top of the microphone to move it closer to the sax...
Yes his sound explorations are unique and go beyond and further than that. Loved and adored every note he ever played ....
Wish I had gotten to see and hear him. What an innovator! And swinging!!!!!
Thankfully, we have video documention of these artists, and their recordings, for listening, inspiration and study.
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Great video! Thanks. Saw Rahsaan live around the late 70s at the Village Vanguard. Loved what he did with "I'll Be Seeing You" and "There Will Never Be Another You," too. Him and Sonny -- what a combination!
Sounds like "So What" with a smidgen of "My Favourite Things" spliced in!! Wonderful!!
I began listening to his music when I was in college, beginning in 1972. I collected Jazz albums, while I was attending OU, in Athens, Ohio. I had no idea he was born in Columbus, Ohio, at the time. I eventually attended The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio, for graduate school in 1977. I met people there who lived in town, who said he'd pop in and play in his home town. Local Jazz venues, clubs and some outdoors events. If I had been lucky I could have seen him perform, unfortunately, he died in (maybe, December) of 1977, at age 42.
Imagine having to solo after Roland Kirk.
A blues on the key of W. Genius, I love him
I loved Rahsaan from jumpstreet! It took me awhile to get to Rollins imagine that!. I wasn't mature enough to hear solo sax playing melody then busting the changes. Lol I got into Jazz related tunes before the actual artistry. People have to look at the artistry, expression. Rahsaan is look down as a charlatan to some , a wild man. Sonny was established before Coltrane and at one point the critics who first criticized Coltrane, wanted Sonny and (everybody else) to play like Coltrane! Sad many didn't understand Rahsaan but could not deny his musicianship.
Hearing echoes of Coltrane in Kirk, always, but especially so because McCoy Tyner is with him here.... Kirk is THE master sound-maker of all time!
Thanks again for the great video.
Where can I get a big hat like Sonny's got? Listen to him wail!
Thank you 😎
One of graitest Funk Roland is a Master give a lesson in playng Horns amazing ❤ 12 minutes in Iperventilation🤙🤟👏🏻
yes!
And they gave the Guinness world record for circular breathing to Kenny G??? 🤷🏽🤷🏽🤷🏽🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️. Like….how???
I was curious about having Sonny Rollins together with Kirk because when I saw both of them at the Village Gate, Sonny took a breathtakingly brilliant set of solos for an hour and a half. When Kirk came on next, he was furious because sets usually lasted 45 minutes. He was so angry that he picked up a concert grand Steinway and crashed it down to the ground. (It was okay). Kirk went on to play a brilliant set of his own.
Hello Brett.
The tenor mouthpiece is ok. I love the sound of the soprano.
I was advised to buy a soprano mouthpiece just to do exercises. It's very hard on the zygomatic muscles.
😬And at the ninth minute + 11 seconds. I see the guy playing tenor, alto and soprano at the same time, knowing that you have to send enough air in the 3 instruments. It's crazy.
One day at a time.
I am in awe of anyone who can sustain circular breathing, I tried once with a didgeridoo and found it impossible, let alone a brass instrument which takes power.
lots of cheek and throat ... love his melodicism on Blue For Alice
loved the video of him doling out cocaine to audience members lol
?
Pedal up
Mannnnnnnnn! I’m laughing, that’s so great.
Is that Airto on congas in the back?
Goog eye, Hilda
Did I say Kirk's collaboration with PHARAOH?
I hereby retract and apologise for my stupidity. Of course, SONNY is BRILLIANT on this track!!!
🌱💛💮🙄
From this point on, please refer to our music as Black Classical Music. Not jazz, a derogatory term.
Billy Taylor felt the same way
Loved that Quincy said same.
That’s a better term than “Jazz”