Bright Moments: The Life and Legacy of Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Bright Moments is the first full-length biography of the brilliant jazz icon and multi-instrumentalist, Rahsaan Roland Kirk (1935-77). Using dozens of interviews and an unearthed audio autobiography narrated by Kirk, John Kruth traces Kirk's life from his childhood in Columbus, Ohio, to his mid-career vocal black-power stance, to his debilitating stroke and premature death in the mid-1970s. Kruth delves into Kirk's larger-than-life personality and pioneering music efforts on unique horns such as the stritch and manzello saxophones and his innovative circular breathing technique that enabled him to play several instruments simultaneously. Steeped in tradition, Rahsaan was open to all types of sound while critical of rock'n'roll.While Kirk's genius talent was often underappreciated, his contemporaries, including Quincy Jones, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, Allen Ginsberg, Ken Kesey, Eric Burdon and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, all of whom Kruth interviewed, openly sing the great man's praises. Blind since childhood, Kirk faced the challenges of being a sightless, black traveling musician along with being dismissed as a gimmick by the press for playing 2 and 3 instruments at a time. A champion of jazz, which he preferred to call "Black Classical Music" Kirk's competitive instincts, coupled with a voracious appetite for food and other excesses of the time, rendered him a force to be reckoned with - a big, blind black man, unapologetic and outspoken.“John Kruth’s remarkable book belongs on the bookshelf of every serious Jazz fan.”- Ishmael Reed, Mumbo Jumbo“Magical. John Kruth is a fantastic writer!” - Jim Jarmusch“Fun, insightful, well-researched, and inspirational… an incredibly accessible biography of a complex individual of staggering genius.” - Jerry Jazz MusicianThis engaging biography about an often-neglected talent will be welcomed by general readers as well as jazz scholars.”- Library Journal“A persuasive case that the saxophonist deserves to be reevaluated for greatness in the larger continuum of music development.” - Billboard Magazine“Illuminates the one-and-only Rahsaan Roland Kirk from the outside, with a series of voices that pop like photographic flash bulbs.” -The Wire (UK)“Like the best portraiture, Bright Moments has the spirit of its subject: It’s swirling with fire, humor, audacity and surprise.”- David Hajdu, author, Lush Life“Kruth has tackled one of the most fascinating figures in modern jazz and told his story in vivid detail. His research is formidable, his writing is fresh and exciting, and his enthusiasm is irresistible. Finally, someone has written a book on a jazz artist that matches the fun and verve of the music itself!”- Ted Gioia, The History of Jazz Read more