Roland Kirk

Ronald Theodore Kirk

American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader
Later know as Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Born on August 7, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio, USA, died on December 5, 1977 in Bloomington, Indiana, USA (of a stroke)

He was best known for being a blind jazz saxophonist who could play more than one wind instrument at once. Kirk played a number of musical instruments, mainly various saxophones, clarinets and flutes. His main instruments were tenor saxophone and two obscure saxophones: the stritch and the manzello. Kirk modified these instruments himself to accommodate his simultaneous playing technique. The idea of playing more than one saxophone at the same time occurred to him in a dream and he set out to make it a reality. Around 1970 he added "Rahsaan" to his name after hearing it in a dream. He is also noted for his circular breathing technique and was reportedly able to sustain a note for over an hour.

In Groups:
Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop, Gil Evans And His Orchestra, Rahsaan Roland Kirk & The Vibration Society, Roland Kirk Sextet, Roy Haynes Quartet, The Quincy Jones Big Band, The Roland Kirk Quartet, The Roland Kirk Quintet, Tubby Hayes And The All Stars