The Case of the Three Sided Dream

NEW DOCS

Rahsaan Roland Kirk had a dream about playing two saxophones at once, so he learned. And then he learned to play three. He had a singular devotion to living in a world of sound. Kirk’s multi-instrumentalism was legendary, as was his stage presence, as was his activism. Frustrated by the lack of attention that jazz—“black classical music,” as he called it—was receiving on television, Kirk organized groups to attend live television tapings and interrupt them using instruments and noisemakers. The plan worked, and he secured television appearances for himself and other black musicians. The film is rich in archival performances from the ’60s and ’70s and includes insightful commentary from family, close friends, and fellow musicians. This tribute is everything the expansive and audacious, dexterous and sophisticated, musical genius deserves.  TBW

Director

Adam Kahan

Producer

Adam Kahan

Editors

Adam Kahan , Liv Barratier

Cinematographer

Alex Baev

Release Year

2014

Festival Year

2014

Country

United States

Run Time

88 minutes