Person · Male
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- From
- Columbus, United States
- Active
- 1935–1977
- Releases
- 72
- jazz
- hard bop
- soul jazz
About
Rahsaan Roland Kirk (born Ronald Theodore Kirk; August 7, 1935 – December 5, 1977), known earlier in his career simply as Roland Kirk, was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who played tenor saxophone, flute, and many other instruments. He was renowned for his onstage vitality; in his shows, virtuoso improvisation was accompanied by comic banter, political ranting, and the simultaneous playing of several instruments.
Member of
-
The Roland Kirk Quartet eponymous
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Roland Kirk Sextet clarinet, eponymous, flute, harmonica, kazoo, percussion, saxophone, tenor saxophone
Discography
Albums
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Triple Threat
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Introducing Roland Kirk
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We Free Kings
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Kirk’s Work
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Domino
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Reeds & Deeds
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Gifts & Messages
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I Talk With the Spirits
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Slightly Latin
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Now Please Don’t You Cry, Beautiful Edith
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The Jazz Corps
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The Inflated Tear
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Left & Right
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Natural Black Inventions: Root Strata
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Blacknuss
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A Meeting of the Times
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Prepare Thyself to Deal With a Miracle
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The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man
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The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color
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Other Folks’ Music
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Kirkatron
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Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real
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The Man Who Cried Fire
Live
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Seek & Listen: Live at the Penthouse
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Vibrations in the Village: Live at the Village Gate
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Live in Paris (1970) Apple Music
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Live at Ronnie Scott’s, 1963
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Live in Dortmund 1976
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1972-04-02: Village Vanguard, New York City, NY (USA)
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In Europe 1962-1967
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Brotherman in the Fatherland
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Compliments of the Mysterious Phantom
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Gifts and Messages
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(I, Eye, Aye)
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Les Génies du Jazz (Tome 6, No. 2): Roland Kirk (Black Classical Music)
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Sweet Fire
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Live in Paris Vol. 1
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Live in Paris, 1970, Vol. 2
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Bright Moments
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Volunteered Slavery
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Here Comes the Whistleman
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Kirk in Copenhagen
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1978-12-31: Memorial Jazz Festival, Keystone Corner, San Francisco, CA
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1967-10-14: Warszawa, Sala Kongresowa (FM)
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1975-06-xx: Keystone Korner, San Francisco
Compilations
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Come Down
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Four Classic Albums
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Roland Kirk: Complete Recordings 1956-1962
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The Limelight / Verve Albums
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Domino / Out of the Afternoon
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Eight Classic Albums
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Domino / Reeds & Deeds
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Spirits Up Above: The Atlantic Years 1965-1976 - The Rahsaan Roland Kirk Anthology
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Introducing Rahsaan Roland Kirk
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Kirkatron / Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real
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Third Dimension and Beyond
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The Inflated Tear / Nature Black Inventions: Roots Strata
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Roland Kirk’s Finest Hour
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Left Hook, Right Cross
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A Meeting of the Times / Ornette!
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A Standing Eight
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Aces Back to Back
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Dog Years in the Fourth Ring
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Talkin’ Verve: Roots of Acid Jazz
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Simmer, Reduce, Garnish & Serve: The Warner Bros. Recordings
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Verve Jazz Masters 27
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Does Your House Have Lions
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“Rahsaan”: The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk
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The Vibration Continues… A Retrospective of the Years 1968–1976
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The Art of Rahsaan Roland Kirk: The Atlantic Years
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The Best of Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Links
Listen
Concerts
Supporting musician
Also known as
Kirk Roland · Rashaan Roland Kirk · Roland Kirk · Ronald Theodore Kirk · Theoshis Tannis
Tags
- 2008 universal fire victim
- jazz and blues
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- 4a1f7fe0-e509-4c4a-9fa1-9cf6c3ca891c
- ISNI
- 0000000083943098
- IPI
- 00016276397
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 7 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.