Age 84 seems like an unlikely time for drummer and leader Dr. Willis Kirk to record his first jazz CD. Looking back, Dr. Kirk has performed with some of the most noted and famous musicians of our time, including Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery, Duke Ellington, Earl “Father” Hines, John Handy, Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, J.J. Johnson, Billie Taylor, Mel Torme, Eubie Blake, Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Harris, Joe Pass, Calvin Keyes and Little Jimmie Scott. Dr. Kirk has recorded with Earl Hines, the San Francisco All Star Big Band, and even Melvin Rhynne, the great organist from Indianapolis.
Dr. Kirk is also the author of “Brushfire” the noted instructional method for playing brushes. During his twelve years of teaching instrumental music within the Indianapolis School System he created a unique and highly successful system of rote teaching that greatly enhanced the pace at which students learned melodies and rhythms without the benefit of prior music lessons.
In 2004, Dr. Kirk conducted and produced an original jazz oratorio entitled Rejoice! Rejoice! This uplifting inspirational worship service performed by a 40-voice choir and 10 piece band, including four soloists and a narrator features spiritual, gospel, jazz, rap and classical music genres. The piece focuses on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Originally presented in 1968 in honor of the dedication of Indiana's new campus chapel at the University of Evansville, all the musical selections are original compositions written by Dr. Kirk with the exception of Dottie Rambo’s “He Looked Beyond My Fault.”
East Side Groove, by comparison, is a collection of original jazz compositions. Inspired by Dr. Kirk's musical experiences growing up on the east side of Indianapolis, these ten moving tracks feature Glen Pierson on piano, Doug Miller on bass, Don Ramsey on alto and tenor saxophone and Dr. Kirk on drums. Glen Pierson earned his musical chops working Broadway shows in New York City, playing with R&B sensation Regina Belle, as well as becoming music director and pianist for the Harlem Boys Choir. Bassist Doug Miller is a former student of David Baker of Indiana University and studied with renowned bassist John Clayton. Doug lays down some great lines throughout this CD. Don Ramsey is a virtuoso on the reed instruments, alto and tenor saxophone. He was given the honor of Teacher of the Year in the Moraga School District in 1998 before his retirement. You will be thrilled by his unique approach to each piece on this CD. Finally Dr. Willis Kirk is steadily swinging, pulsating and punching the rhythms and taking hold of these compositions in his unique, inimitable way.
“Apple Fields” is named for Dr. Kirk’s friend James Fields, dating back to 1948 during what he remembers as his early Be Bop days. “Voo Livre” and “Santos by the Sea” were composed after a trip to Brazil with Earl “Father” Hines in 1982. “East Bound” is dedicated to his son Brian as he departed from San Francisco on his way to Indiana University after studying at City College of San Francisco. “Monk D Motion” is written as a tribute and in the style of Thelonius Monk.
East Side Groove is definitely a treat for jazz lovers young and old. Let the music speak to you, and Enjoy!
http://williskirk.com/store/east_side_groove2/
