Willis Kirk, Ph.D. – Kirk Jazz

The Life and Legacy of Dr. Willis F. Kirk

Dr. Willis Kirk (1928 – 2016)

Highly acclaimed as a musician, educator and humanitarian, Dr. Willis F. Kirk was honored with a Life Time Achievement Award for his legacy of dedication and accomplishments as a Musician, Educator, Composer, Author and Jazz Activist.

Kirk is one of the faithful stewards of the oral history of jazz.

Born in Indianapolis in 1928, Willis began his musical education studying percussion
in fifth grader. In high school, he played in the band and orchestra. By age 14, he was playing professionally in and around Indianapolis.

Recent Blog Posts from Jazz Life: Stories from the Griot

Read Jazz Life Stories from the Griot

Dr. Willis F. Kirk Bio

Kirk was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His musical education began when he studied percussion instruments as a fifth grader under the tutelage of Russell Brown and Norman Merrifield, the instrumental music teachers. Kirk played in the band and orchestra at Crispus Attucks High School. At twelve years of age, he played his first paid gig. By the age of 14, he was playing professionally in and around his home town.

Having grown up with the Montgomery brothers—Wes, Monk and Buddy as with members of the Hampton family—Luckey, Maceo, Slide, Duke and Carmelita, Willis was challenged early in his musical life. He and his friends set standards for others to follow including Slide Hampton, David Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Larry Ridley, James Spaulding, Virgil Jones and Melvin Rhyne, all from Indy.

Willis graduated from Butler University in 1956 after leaving a tour with Lionel Hampton. On the tour, he met and performed with Quincy Jones, Clifford Brown, Gee Gee Grice, Art Farmer, Monk Montgomery, and other great young players, unknown to the jazz world at the time. Kirk continued to play gigs, casuals, and eventually booked his own trio.

He played in performances at night while teaching instrumental music in the public schools in Indianapolis. Once he said, “I didn’t get much sleep in those days.” Some of the projects he sponsored or participated in during his twelve years of teaching in Indy included the development of the course of study for the music curriculum in elementary and junior high schools, music workshops and was interviewed on TV about the subject of Music in the Schools.

In 1966, Willis was selected to present his “Early Bird Class,” an elementary school student band, at the Music Education National Conference to demonstrate his innovative teaching method.

The student band won an award and the students, teachers, principal and parents were thrilled with this honor. It was very gratifying to Willis. This was one of the five schools in which he taught and made an unspoken promise that “the inner city will have music too!”

In 1968, Kirk and his family, Roslyn, Brian and Cynthia moved to San Francisco, California. He taught instrumental music in a junior high school in Oakland, California for a year. At the same time, Kirk became active in the musical life in San Francisco.

Willis, successfully, met the challenge of playing vibes with Tony Bennet, was the percussionist for the Ebony Fashion Show, shows starring John Hendricks, and other performances at the Marines’ Memorial Theater in San Francisco. Often the spokesman for jazz, Willis Kirk was interviewed on radio and television. He worked and recorded with the San Francisco All Star Big Band under the leadership of another Indianapolis native, David Hardiman.

While remaining musically active, Kirk held several administrative positions at City College of San Francisco, and found time to earn the Doctorate in Educational Administration from Walden University. Dr. Kirk became president of City College and served until his retirement in 1991.

After retirement, his insatiable desire to make music and serve community was still evident. Dr. Kirk became Vice President of the San Francisco Arts Commission for two terms and a board member on the San Francisco Public Library Foundation.

An Honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Butler University was conferred on Kirk in 2009. The President of Butler University said that the honor was given to acknowledge the life achievements of an Indianapolis native; Butler alumnus; accomplished musician, composer. and author; and distinguished educator.

Kirk composed an oratorio, named Rejoice! Rejoice! that he conducted at jazz conferences in New York, and Long Beach, California; and a jazz festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. Later, it was recorded on CD. He wrote a book entitled Brushfire, a treatise on playing drums with brushes. Another highlight in his musical life came when he played drums and recorded with Earl Fatha Hines on tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

QUOTES from Fellow Musicians

“Willis is personable and creative, an innovative musician and teacher. A trailblazer for me.” ~ David Hardiman
“An educator and performer—a true renaissance man.” ~ Dr. David Baker
“I have been a colleague and admirer of Willis Kirk’s work for many years.
His musicianship is without question most outstanding.” ~ Buddy Montgomery
“Dr. Kirk has long been one of the finest drummers in jazz. His impeccable
Credentials, teaching skills and experience give an added dimension to his
musical persona.” ~ Larry Ridley
“Willis Kirk is an outstanding musician. His brush work has been studied by many great drummers through his book Brushfire.” ~ Slide Hampton
“Willis is an exciting player and has always been over the years.” ~ Freddie Hubbard