Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Gil Evans - Theme For The Eulipions, 1976 

Kirk was a genius and ahead of his time; he was a gift to all of us.

One of the greatest jazz tunes ever - listen to the original on Rahsaan' album The 5.000 pounds man" - sheer magic

Got to chat with him on two occasions once in Liverpool and again I in Preston guild hall , the man was so humble and down to earth . Rest in peace my man

I was fortunate to see Kirk twice....once with the Bright Moments band, and once after the stroke. Thinking of him trying to play all those instruments with one hand makes me cry to this day. He was unstoppable and a music (and jazz) savant. He was different. He was something of a rare genius. He was someone you never forget. Thanks for uploading this!

I made a point to see Rah every time he came to Los Angeles.He always delivered and played brillaintly.DD in LA

A Jimi Hendrix biography by poet David Henderson dedicated several paragraphs to his meeting Kirk somewhere in Europe. Apparently Hendrix dug his music and the feeling was mutual. Both of them ahead of their time and geniuses.

He was wonderful, best ever.

Two genius giants, both sorely missed.

Kirk came to earth on the same starship with Sun Ra and Rammellzee

If this is Fall of 1976, this may be one of the last Kirk performances on film. Kirk died the following year, Dec. 5, 1977 (still performing for 2 years after his stroke). I can hear the difference in Kirk's playing post-stroke, but it's no less powerful or soulful -- just slightly different. An amazing musician.

playing more music with one hand than many play with two. also, a rare harmonica solo!

Playing with just one good hand plus some extra keys to reach down to the tenor's lower stack = ASTONISHING!

This is one of the best things I've ever watched. Thank you for this amazing upload - one of the very few videos of him after his first stroke.

Beyond any expectation.

Toca con el alma Kirk

Roland the evocative

Oh my god I never knew he played this live. This is wonderful.

This stuff will drive you insane. He was different from us RIP Big Man...

This was after his stroke, so he couldn't use his right hand, yet he was still playing and saying more than many musicians.

This is remarkable

The greatest musical phenomenon of the 20th century, IMO. That he could continue to perform with one hand in the last two years of his life - in this case, two horns - reinforces my view.

Wow! Thanks for this clip - I had no idea he played this fantastic song live with Gil.

My Lord.... he could only use one hand and therefore was very limited in what notes he could play. But as a saxophonist, I wouldn't have even thought about the missing notes if I didn't see that his right hand isn't moving. What an amazing, inspirational person. We all should continue to do what we love and what makes us happy regardless of obstacles. Many of us have no obstacles in our lives yet we fail to live up to our potential and pursue our passion. How fortunate those are who had the opportunity to make the most of their talents and time, regardless of obstacles.

Astonishing.

A friend sugested that Kirk was a saint. Amen.

Haunting… would love to have experienced it live! Thank you to all the musicians involved.

I am a big fan of Rahsaan, but I've never known he played with Gil Evans and all that top guys. Gil's band, at that time, was an "all stars" band, with some of the best musicians of the time: Faddis, Soloff, Clark, Adams, Stewart, Levine...Impressive...and then Rahsaan, after his stroke....a giant among giants. Why Gil didn't think a whole project about Roland's music? With him?

Outstanding!

"A gift to the travelers." Yeah.

He also did this tune on British TV after his stroke. I believe the programme was called Jazz 625. I remember his playing the modified Sax, and also he did a number on flute, which had also been modified to allow him to play with one hand. The programme was introduced by dear Spike Milligan. I made a video of the program at the time, but I can no longer lay my hands on it. Pity

He plays here with his only left hand. He made a special saxophone to play in this way.. Incredible.

Have you noticed that he is playing with only his left hand? Thats right, only one hand saxophone solo. He had a stroke by this time, so his right side of the body was paralized, he modified his saxophone to be able to play one hand. He died the same year from the second stroke.

savage bro

Brilliant

Genius

Rahsaan quotes "There's A Boat Dat's Leaving Soon For New York" at 8:08. No doubt a tribute to Gil's and Miles' collaboration: Porgy And Bess. Beautiful!

Bittersweet

...a triumph of the sol ‘ spirit...beyond the fickle physical body...a vehicle for light..rahsaan roland Kirk

So nice.

Does anyone know if video from this entire concert video is available anywhere? I know the sound recording is available on "Gil Evans: Live In Dortmund 1976"

Rahsaan. Nothing else need be said. The Journey Agent.

😃🍀🌾💛

I had all his records once. I used to wish he played only tenor sax and flute. I felt all the other exotics he played only detracted from his genius, made him even into a sort of spectacle. I still think I was right.