On my wife's and my first date in 1971, we went to see Rahsaan at the Village Vanguard in NYC. He got onto the floor with a wood chair and wrestled it apart. Then he tried to light it on fire with a lighter, saying, "If it gives you bad vibes, burn it!" But it was just metaphorical. He was a beautiful cat and tremendous musician whom I miss to this day.
One of our great artists and an utter original. Often dismissed as a novelty act for his multi-instrumentalism, Rahsaan's death will mark its 40th anniversary this year. And he's still largely unknown. Having had the privilege of hanging with the man a few times in the early 70s, he remains a powerful presence in my life.
i have seen many musicians and i can honestly say that this man is literally one of the most talented people i have ever seen. there is nothing else to say.
Looking back, so blessed to have met and listened to his music, very trippy dude but very approachable and real, brilliant and he swung too, not many original cats like this around anymore.
i played the alto in middle school band @ the time acdc was the most sophisticated music i listened to. i picked up the guitar in 7th grade and dropped the sax in high school. eventually my musical tastes brought me all the way to rashaan. i know im better than any guitarist you would see on television which doesnt say much. still the respect i have for sax players. . . today was the first day i listened to roland kirk im speechless. he shreds the sax wtf! any good albums by him?
Больше всего жалко,что я не смогу ,,пропитаться " этой атмосферой монтре, хотя на Западе просто попасть на этот фестиваль джаза и насладиться слушая и созерцая волшебный мир музыки.
That's true passion! Louis armstrong after many warnings from his doctor because of his bad heart continued to play, the duke played pretty much till his death. When music is your life your body becomes sacrificial.
David Dubery and I so wish he had. When one of his albums hit my dad's great jazz collection, I figured he was good and then when he put it on the stereo, we loved it. Oooh the way he plays that sax...
...i used to see all his shows at the esquire showbar in Mtl. Que(1970). He was unbelievable live!!! I just discovered this site and am i stoked!! Couple albums....the inflated tear and Volenteered slavery are so good!!
i remember the first time i saw him at the "jazz temple" back in the 60's in cleveland. needless to say it was a life changing experience as i was about 18 at the time,,, and he was very, very funny in his talk between songs.Thanks for this wonderful post of this Great Genius!
No Lie. I do my math home work to jazz music. I stumbled on this song in a youtube mix. @ 2:25 I had to lift my head up. I thought my computer was messing up... This dude the truth
this guy was beyond genius-he was a force of nature-one of the greatest intuitive musicians in the history of the world-a demon, shaman, witch doctor and sadhu all in one-I can't believe I never caught him in the early seventies-damn!!!!
Killeranime000 that is so cool! I was at this show and I can say that at first I was frightened (I was only 16 yrs old lol!), then I was absolutely blown away. The way your grandpa propelled the band and kept it all groovin' was unforgettable. Peace.
@Garajer It too me FOREVER to find the video, but go to google video and search for "Rahsaan Roland Kirk - I Eye Aye".... it starts at the 29:30 mark :D
@gwdidg sonny rollins and courtney pine use the technique. these chaps dont mess with music, they are music, the world is beginning to sit up and notice, this music is no joke. very serious and special and an artistic expression.
Hey man, your grandpa is fabulous. You must be very proud. He played with The Rahsaan...wow. As Elvin Jones said: " Coltrane was a saint. I was just lucky to play with someone that good." Ask Ben Riley about Monk.....It was a fluke that they met, but Ben was up to the task as was your Grandpa.
Sensational as ever. Although drifting towards the avant garde on occasion, unlike folk like Coleman, there is always adherence to the theme. Magical and outrageous, and the sort of jazz you just don't get any more. At least not in the UK where jazz seeems now to be a synonym for South American or "Rhythm and Blues". Whatever that means.
You see the way his hands were moving playing them notes thats incredible and seems impossible but he is an inspiration to me today for real to but that kind of musician but he was the best period
Yes, musicmanson is correct, born in Columbus. I was reading an article by his producer Joel Dorn about great performers he worked with, he must have mentioned his work playing in Cleveland. I should have checked before stating where he was from . . . Okay, he is an Ohioan of great talent. Thanks for the correction.
Oh well, thats too bad... Fortunately I copied it to Mp3 before they had a chance to get to it. Hopefully someone will put it back up one of these days.
All those guys were following the steps of Charlie Parker - The Bird was coming out with such amazing new styles and fast playing and was on dope, heroine, they all got to thinking they needed drugs to help their 'creativity'. Sad for Charlie Parker for his life to end so young - how often is that with creative talented people! and I think John Coltrane got throat cancer - they thought that may have been all the years of often 'singing' through the sax whilst he played...
Amazing extra keys on his tenor! His timing is not all that good but he sure could do some astonishing things on all his horns. A very special and talented artist and show-man!
I have been bitten by the sax bug, almost three years now. Should i monitor certain techniques to avoid endangering myself? The great horn players died young, but i think drugs were a large part. Roland had a stroke, i wonder if the high notes played part?
