Kirk Lightsey


Kirkland "Kirk" Lightsey, is an American jazz pianist.

Biography

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Lightsey had piano instruction from the age of five and studied piano and clarinet through high school. After serving in the army, Lightsey worked in Detroit and California in the 1960s as an accompanist to singers. He also worked with jazz musicians such as Yusef Lateef, Betty Carter, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, and Kenny Burrell. From 1979 to 1983 he toured with Dexter Gordon and was a member of The Leaders in the late 1980s. During the 1980s he led several sessions of his own, including duets with pianist Harold Danko.
He is also an accomplished flutist and occasionally doubles on flute in live performances. He has been living in Paris since 2000.

Discography

As leader

Habiba with Rudolph JohnsonLightsey 1 Isotope Everything Happens to Me with Chet BakerShorter by Two with Harold DankoLightsey 2 Lightsey Live First Affairs Everything Is Changed Kirk 'n Marcus with Marcus BelgraveFrom Kirk to Nat Goodbye Mr. Evans The Nights of Bradley's Estate Everybody’s Song But Our Own with Louise GibbsLightsey To Gladden Le Corbu with Tibor Elekes, Don MoyeSome Place Called Where with Marilena Paradisi
  • ''Coltrane Revisited''

As sideman

With Chet BakerSmokin' with the Chet Baker Quintet Groovin' with the Chet Baker Quintet Comin' On with the Chet Baker Quintet Cool Burnin' with the Chet Baker Quintet Boppin' with the Chet Baker Quintet
With Kenny BurrellSky Street
With Agostino Di GiorgioThe Path
With Ricky Ford
With Sonny FortuneFour in One
With Dexter GordonAmerican Classic More Than You Know 1981
With Clifford JordanTwo Tenor Winner
With Louis Hayes
With Blue Mitchell and Harold LandMapenzi
With David "Fathead" Newman
With David Murray
With The LeadersMudfoot Out Here Like This Unforeseen Blessings Heaven Dance Slipping and Sliding
With Jimmy Raney
With Rufus ReidPerpetual Stroll
With RootsSaying Something For Bird & Diz
With Saheb SarbibIt Couldn't Happen Without You
With Woody ShawImagination
With Sonny StittPow!
With Rudolph Johnson
  • ''The Second Coming''