The jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk made a big impression during his tragically short life. Blind from an early age, his inventive and entertaining playing style influenced a lot of musicians and he has been cited as an influence to Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Weller and Ian Anderson.

As a rule Kirk usually fronted his own bands and rarely appeared as a sideman although he made exceptions for the legendary producer Quincy Jones and his friends drummer Roy Haynes and bass player Charlie Mingus. Kirk's playing style was firmly based on soul and jazz influences but his keen interest in the history of jazz meant he would draw from more historical references such as ragtime and swing. He would often appear with three horns hung around his neck and would play them in any combination of one, two or sometimes all three. As well as being an accomplished saxophonist Kirk was also a highly skilled flautist and a technique he occassionally employed to good effect was to sing whilst playing the flute.

He suffered a serious stroke in 1975 but despite being disabled he continued to play using specially adapted instruments. Sadly Kirk died from a second stroke in 1977 at the age of 42.

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

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