Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Click here if you have a memory of this artist that you’d like to share

–

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube

In 1970, a group of disgruntled and prominent jazz musicians organized protests at some of television’s variety shows, rightfully complaining that modern jazz was barely on television.

While some of their protests went nowhere other than creating a brief disturbance, they had success with the Ed Sullivan Show.

For what would be the final edition of his long-running series, on Jan. 24, 1971, Ed Sullivan set aside five minutes for some notable musicians to perform.

Led by Rahsaan Roland Kirk (who plays quite a few instruments), the group included bassist Charles Mingus, tenor-saxophonist Archie Shepp, drummer Roy Haynes, trumpeter Charles Magee, trombonist Dick Griffin, pianist Sonelius Smith, bassist Pete Pederson, and Joe Texidor and Maurice McKinney on percussion.

Even 55 years later, very few jazz performances on national television are as adventurous and passionate as this one.

-Scott Yanow

Click here if you have a memory of this artist that you’d like to share

–

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube