Roland Kirk
One of the most extraordinary musicians of any field, Roland Kirk thrilled audiences all over the world - not just with his amazing virtuosity on flute, sax and a variety of other instruments, but also his showmanship on stage. Blind from the age of two, he played several instruments at the same time, filled his concerts with hilarity and outspoken commentaries and proved himself with groundbreaking performances, lacing his jazz with unexpected influences, including classical and Motown.
His first instruments were bugle and trumpet before he graduated to clarinet and sax, joining R&B bands in his mid-teens. He soon devised his own techniques and created unique instrumentation, playing 'manzello' and 'stritch' - modified versions of the sax - experimenting with R&B on his first album 'Triple Threat' in 1956. He mastered circular breathing, allowing him to play intensely without pausing for breath, and in 1960 he recorded his second album 'Introducing Roland Kirk' in Chicago with saxophonist/trumpeter Ira Sullivan. He toured with Charles Mingus, fronted his own band - the Vibration Society - and became something of a political activist, fighting for the rights of African-American artists.
He constantly experimented, adding nose flute, piccolo and harmonica to his musical armoury as he sought to open the boundaries of jazz and invented his very own instruments, the trumpophone and the slidesophone. One of his most notable triumphs was his playing on the 1964 hit 'Soul Bossa Nova' with Quincy Jones later used in the 'Austin Powers' film franchise. He was partially paralysed following a stroke in 1975, but continued to record and perform with one arm, until his death in 1977, immediately after a concert in Bloomington, Indiana, at the age of 42.
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The Inflated Tear
Jazz - Released by Rhino Atlantic on Jan. 1, 1967
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
We Free Kings
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on Mar. 18, 2019
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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We Free Kings (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Avid Entertainment on Sep. 11, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Introducing Roland Kirk (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Avid Entertainment on Jun. 22, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kirk's Work
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on Nov. 23, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings Of Roland Kirk
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on Dec. 16, 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Talk With The Spirits
Jazz - Released by Verve on Jan. 1, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Domino (Expanded Edition)
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on Jan. 1, 1962
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Here Comes The Whistleman (Live in Atlantic Studios)
Jazz - Released by Rhino Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2011
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
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Out of the Afternoon (Original Album plus Bonus Tracks)
Roy Haynes Quartet, Roland Kirk
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on Jul. 1, 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kirk's Work [RVG Remaster]
Jazz - Released by Prestige on Nov. 23, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kirk's Work (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Circadian Jazz on Jan. 1, 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kirk in Copenhagen (Live At Club Montmarte, Copenhagen/1963)
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on Jan. 1, 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Talkin' Verve: Roots Of Acid Jazz
Jazz - Released by Verve on Nov. 22, 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
We Free Kings + Triple Threat (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Musts on Jan. 2, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Roland Kirk's Finest Hour
Jazz - Released by Verve on May 14, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo