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Kirk Lightsey

Kirk Lightsey’s profound pianisms originate from the Motor City. Kirk LIGHTSEY was born into Detroit 's rich music scene on February 15, 1937. He grew up in a town known for its jazz pianists, which included Hugh Lawson, Sir Roland Hanna, Barry Harris, Hank Jones and Tommy Flanigan, whose brother gave Lightsey his first piano lessons at the age of six. He then took lessons with Glady's Wade Dillard, who also taught pianists Barry Harris, Alice McCloud and Tommy Flanagan.

At Cass Technical High School Hugh Lawson and Paul Chambers introduced Kirk to playing jazz. They all performed in the school orchestra, which included Ron Carter and Kiane Zawadi. Late afternoons were often spent at Barry Harris' house where Lightsey would jam with Ira Jackson, Lonnie Hilliard and Charles McPherson. Under the tutelage of Harris they honed their improvisational skills. Kirk also learned about music by listening to his mother's record collection, and he went to hear all the Swing Era Stars who came to Detroit.

In 1954 Lightsey was awarded a music scholarship to Wayne University to study the clarinet, but at age 18 he quickly chose to play professionally. His first real gig was with the Harold "Beans" Bowles Sextet, which included Albert Aarons and Joe Henderson. He toured with Arthur Bragg's Rhythm and Blues Show which included Della Reese, T. Bone Walker and the Four Tops. During this time he also worked with Yusef Lateef, Melba Liston and Ernestine Anderson. In 1960 Kirk was drafted. He played clarinet two years in the Fort Knox Army Band, and the bassoon for the Louisville Civic Orchestra. He also added flute to his repertoire.

When Lightsey was discharged from the army, he went back to Detroit with fellow Army Band member, Cecil McBee. They formed a jazz duo and played Detroit clubs. Kirk also played for Motown hit recording sessions, and made time to study with classical pianist Boris Maximovich. Lightsey's main influences however, are piano masters Hank Jones and Tommy Flannagan. He defines himself as a Detroit pianist incorporating "...a Bud Powell awareness, an Art Tatum styling, a bebop feeling and a pianistic approach."

In the ‘60’s, Lightsey’s first recordings as a sideman were on trumpeter Chet Baker’s Prestige sessions. Ironically, Baker’s last performances before his death in 1988 were with the pianist in Bradley’s. Lightsey also performed and recorded with George Coleman, Sonny Stitt, David Murray, Sonny Fortune, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw and Harold Land.

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18
Album Review

Kirk Lightsey: Live At Smalls Jazz Club

Read "Live At Smalls Jazz Club" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


The genesis of this brief (in terms of tracks; the Spotify version differs slightly) but satisfying recording merits some comment. During the salad days of the pandemic, Smalls Jazz Club in jny: New York (and many other venues) were shuttered. Many artists were forced to improvise (in more ways than one) both to find a place to play and to make a living, neither particularly easy even in “normal" times. The Smalls LIVE Foundation raised funds through what it describes ...

4
Multiple Reviews

Solo Piano - Yin and Yang

Read "Solo Piano - Yin and Yang" reviewed by Geno Thackara


Cornelius Claudio Kreusch Transformer Self Produced 2021 Though it's easy enough for a player to find a home niche, Cornelius Claudio Kreusch sounds like he won't really be satisfied until he's practically tried them all. Classically-trained and having whirled through fusion, funk, Latin, African, film scores and probably too much else to list, he somehow manages to pack in pieces of everything when just playing solo. The mix here bridges the classic tones of Thelonious ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

Cynthia Abraham, Kirk Lightsey, Marc Cary, Kazemde George & Other New Releases

Read "Cynthia Abraham, Kirk Lightsey, Marc Cary, Kazemde George & Other New Releases" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Two main themes in the second part of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz. Jazz players of Caribbean heritage (Arturo O'Farrill--Cuba, Cynthia Abraham--Guadeloupe, Kazemde George--Haiti), and remarkable piano jazz (Marc Cary, Kirk Lightsey, Scott Spivak & Frank Kimbrough, Irène Schweizer, Chick Corea). Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Arturo O'Farrill “Despedida in Lion Struggles and Strugglets" ...Dreaming in Lions... (Blue Note) 0:15 Host talks 5:15 Cynthia Abraham ...

14
Album Review

Ray Blue: Work

Read "Work" reviewed by Edward Blanco


New York-based and bred, tenor saxophonist Ray Blue is no novice but a veteran player who has not received the accolades he so deserves. Perhaps after laying down and documenting an incredible volume of music on Work, the spotlight will shine a little brighter on this unheralded player. A composer and educator, as well as one of the most in-demand musicians in New York, Blue is a soulful performer, a full-throated sax man with a fluid and lyrical style which ...

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Profile

Kirk Lightsey

Read "Kirk Lightsey" reviewed by Russ Musto


When Kirk Lightsey walked into Harlem's St. Mark's United Methodist Church in May, to attend funeral services for his friend John Hicks, it was the first time that most of the considerable cross section of the New York jazz community there had seen the once ubiquitous pianist in more than a dozen years. A native of Detroit, Lightsey had studied piano with Johnson Flanagan (the brother of Tommy) as a youth and attended Cass Technical Institute, where he played clarinet ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Live At Smalls Jazz...

Cellar Records
2022

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I Will Never Stop...

Jojo Records
2021

buy

Work

Jazzheads
2020

buy

Sapphire Dreams

Pao Records
2018

buy

Estate

Balance Point Acoustics
2007

buy

Nights Of Bradley's

Sunnyside Records
2004

buy

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