A MUSICAL GENIUS
Learning to play several musical instruments requires dedication, hard work, and genuine skill. Mastering the ability to play multiple instruments simultaneously, though, could be considered an act of pure genius.
Pictured: Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The late Rahsaan Roland Kirk was an immensely gifted jazz musician who could do just that. Not only was Kirk a renowned multi-instrumental artist—playing such varied instruments as the saxophone, flute, clarinet, trumpet, and even the common garden hose—but he delighted audiences with his legendary ability to play several horns at once, often harmonizing with himself. Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that Kirk honed his craft without the sense of sight.
Born Ronald Theodore Kirk in Flytown—a multi-racial, working-class neighborhood located in today’s Victorian Village and Arena District—in 1935, Kirk had severely impaired vision from birth. His parents, Gertrude and Theodore, ran a modest convenience store in the front portion of their home. At the age of 2, Kirk was left permanently blind after a failed medical procedure that was intended to improve his vision.
As a teenager, Kirk attended the Ohio State School for the Blind. As one friend recalled in “Bright Moments,” a biography about Kirk’s life written by author and musician John Kruth, Kirk would spend his lunchtime practicing instruments in the school’s band room. Kirk then began playing gigs at night, including at local clubs on the Near East Side, where he became a highly sought-after act.
Kirk ultimately decided to drop out of school to pursue music full-time. At the age of 15, he was on the road playing rhythm and blues with the Boyd Moore Band, a prominent Columbus group in the 1940s and ’50s. In 1957, Kirk released his debut jazz album, “Triple Threat.” He would go on to record more than 30 albums during his short lifetime, building an impressive discography over the span of two decades.
Jack Marchbanks, a local businessman, radio personality, and jazz enthusiast, described Kirk and his music as innovative, outspoken, and fearless. “His music is powerful. You can’t ignore it,” said Marchbanks. “He is the premier multi-instrumentalist to come out of central Ohio. He is a true Columbus original.”
“While most remember Rahsaan Roland Kirk for his musical prowess, I think his most important contribution to American music and African American culture is his vision.”
Dr. Mark A. Lomax, II
Although Kirk is widely known as a prominent jazz musician, his art was strongly shaped by other influences, including classical and pop music. He would often incorporate non-musical tools into his work as well, such as alarm clocks and garden hoses, giving him a truly original sound.
In 1975, Kirk experienced a major stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Despite this obstacle, Kirk continued his musical career, learning to play instruments with one hand. Tragically, a second stroke just two years later claimed Kirk’s life at the young age of 42.
“While most remember Rahsaan Roland Kirk for his musical prowess, I think his most important contribution to American music and African American culture is his vision,” said Dr. Mark A. Lomax, II, Director, Arts & Generational Grantmaking at The Columbus Foundation. “He showed us the power of vision and insight to develop an authentic artistic voice that transcends categories and will inspire generations to come.”
Although his life was brief, Kirk’s legacy continues throughout the central Ohio community. With support from Kirk’s friends and family, Marchbanks established the Rahsaan Roland Kirk Scholarship Fund at The Columbus Foundation in 2008 to support Columbus City Schools students who plan to major in music, music performance, or the arts. Through the scholarship, the next generation of creatives can pursue their dreams.
He knew his purpose in life was to be creative and to make music,” explained Marchbanks. “His philosophy was that music brings people together. Music is a healing force in the universe.”