Rahsaan having a big moment on the facebook page, "Humans of New York"

http://www.humansofnewyork.com/

You'll have to head over there yourself to see what all the fuss is about, but when I logged onto facebook tonight, some friends had linked the "Humans of New York" post for today, 6/22/2014, to my wall.  Anyway, there's a cool story about Rahsaan and as of this evening, the story has gotten over 160K likes and 4800 shares.

What's bringing tears to my eyes are all the comments by folks who have never heard of Rah and are now googling him and discovering him for the first time.

Bright Moments,
May

Rahsaan Roland Kirk "Misty & I Want Talk" Live Montreux 1972

Some more exciting film news...

I just got word that there's going to be more screenings of "The Case of the Three-Sided Dream."  Which means more upcoming Rahsaan sightings!  Details soon!

Searching for the Old Rugged Cross

I was going through some old files today when I came across some photos from my first trip to Columbus, Ohio--a road trip with my little sister, Susie.  A trip we took in the hopes of finding Rahsaan's grave.

That trip was seventeen years ago, almost to the day.  It rained hard the day before we arrived.  The graveyard was quicksand.  We sloshed along, row by row, hoping to happen upon it.  We searched for about an hour before giving up.  It would take another trip, a solo trip a month later that turned over so many other clues, before I would actually find it.

Recently, I've been in touch with an artist--a writer and photographer named Ed Luna--who kindly allowed me to share his photo of Rah's grave here:

(And here's a link to his blog if you'd like to check out some of his other work: http://edlunasees.wordpress.com/).

Bright Moments,
May

Rahsaan Roland Kirk "Seasons" in Montreux 1972

I've posted this clip of Rahsaan playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival before, but since it's one of my favorites, here it is again.  

YAY! The screening of the film was sold out last night! And there's gonna be another one in NYC

http://rooftopfilms.com/2014/schedule/the-case-of-the-three-sided-dream/

July 26th!

The power of Rahsaan

Tonight is the NYC premiere of Adam Kahan's film about Rahsaan, "The Case of the Three-Sided Dream."
I won't be able to make it tonight, but if you're in the area, I highly recommend it. 

This past spring, I was lucky enough to attend the film's world premiere at SXSW in Austin with Dorthaan Kirk, Rahsaan's widow.  Just after the second screening, a gentleman who was sitting next to us in theater turned to us and said, "This has been one of the greatest days of my life."  He was from Singapore and was in town for the interactive part of SXSW--the high-tech portion of the festival--and had just stumbled into the theater to see the film, having never heard of Rahsaan.  He was moved, uplifted, shaken--all of those verbs that seem to accompany the experience a person has upon first discovering Rahsaan--and it was so affirming to witness. 

As Rahsaan's friend and producer, Joel Dorn, used to say, "Nothing tops seeing him perform."  So if you're out and about in NYC tonight, looking for something to do, swing by the IFC Center at 8 pm.  There are no words adequate enough to describe what you will see.  

/http://bluenotejazzfestival.com/2014/03/the-case-of-the-three-sided-dream-film-screening-at-ifc/

Great interview with Dorthaan and filmmaker Adam Kahan on WBGO about "The Case of the Three-Sided Dream"

http://www.wbgo.org/internal/mediaplayer/?journalID=jrnl2014-140606-article3&type=journal

The NYC Premiere of the film is this Wednesday!

Carolyn McClair Public Relations

For Immediate Release

REMINDER ... NEW YORK PREMIERE OF RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK:  THE CASE OF THE THREE SIDED DREAM SET FOR JUNE 11, 8:00 PM, AT IFC CENTER   NEW YORK, NY, June 5, 2014  - Don't miss the New York premiere of Rahsaan Roland Kirk: The Case of the Three Sided Dream, a documentary on the world-renowned multi-instrumentalist, at IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue at Third Street in Manhattan, on Wednesday, June 11, at 8:00 pm. Directed by Adam Kahan, the film tells the story of Kirk, who went from a blind infant, to child prodigy, to adult visionary, political activist, and finally to paralyzed showman who toured and played music until the day he died (December 5, 1977). Take part in a post-film discussion with Kahan, Dorthaan Kirk - Rahsaan's widow and a founding member of WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM - and trombonist Steve Turre, Kirk's long-time friend and band member. For tickets, log on to www.ifccenter.com/films/the-case-of-the-three-sided-dream/. For more information and to view the film's trailer, click here http://www.rahsaanfilm.com/videos/trailer/. The screening is part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival.  For more information, visit www.bluenotejazzfestival.com. #  #  # Contact: Carolyn McClair (917) 686-0854 / Info@CarolynMcClairPR.com

My Rumpus essay about discovering Rahsaan

Today's as good a day as any to re-post an essay of mine that was published in November by the Rumpus.  It's the best introduction to how I discovered Rahsaan and remained under his spell all these years.

http://therumpus.net/2013/11/songs-of-our-lives-rahsaan-roland-kirks-the-inflated-tear/

And just when I think I can't possibly still be moved by Rahsaan's music as I was the first day I heard in 1995, I found myself yesterday en route to the grocery store reduced to tears as I was listening to his tribute to John Coltrane from his album, "Volunteered Slavery."  Stumbling upon that song brought me back to that place I was a twenty-year old first discovering his sound.  His music is still alive and his story will be told.