****Kirkland "Kirk" Lightsey is an American jazz pianist. He was born 15 February 1937

Biography

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

As sideman

With Chet Baker With Kenny Burrell With Agostino Di Giorgio With Ricky Ford With Sonny Fortune With Dexter Gordon With Clifford Jordan With Louis Hayes With Blue Mitchell and Harold Land With David "Fathead" Newman With David Murray With The Leaders With Jimmy Raney With Rufus Reid With Roots With Saheb Sarbib With Woody Shaw With Sonny Stitt With Rudolph Johnson

Sources