California jazz club Cafe Stritch will host the fourth-annual RAHSAANATHON-a celebration of the life and music of multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk-in San Jose from Aug. 3-7.
The event will include live performances of Kirk’s work, with acts like Steve Turre & the Eulipion All Stars featuring James Carter, the Sonelius Smith Quartet featuring Claire Daly, and John Kruth, who will play on Aug. 7, Kirk’s would-be 81st birthday.
In addition to live performances, the event will host a screening of The Case of the Three Sided Dream, a 2014 documentary on Kirk’s life. The screening will also feature a Q&A with Adam Kahan, the film’s director.
Kirk is best known for his ability to play multiple instruments simultaneously while onstage, most notably a tenor saxophone, a straight alto saxophone known as a “stritch” and a personalized saxello soprano saxophone called a “manzello.” Kirk was also an accomplished clarinetist and flutist.
In 1956, Kirk released his first album, appropriately titled Triple Threat. Some of his more notable albums include We Free Kings (1961), Domino (1962) and Rip, Rig, and Panic (1965). He recorded his final album, Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real, in 1977.
Throughout his 22-year career, Kirk collaborated with a number of artists, including Herbie Hancock, Les McCann and Charles Mingus. He is also featured on Quincy Jones’ 1962 album, Big Band Bossa Nova. Kirk passed away in 1977 at age 42.
Cafe Stritch is located at 374 S 1st St. in San Jose. More information on the event can be found at cafestritch.com. All tickets can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.
RAHSAANATHON to Honor Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Event includes live performances, a film screening with Q&A
