Legendary Columbus-based saxophonists, Rusty Bryant and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, will be inducted into the Lincoln Theatre Walk of Fame with an induction ceremony on July 27 at 7 p.m. that’s free and open to the public.
Born in 1929 in West Virginia, Bryant became part of the local jazz scene in Columbus since the 1940s and came out with classic hits like That Healin’ Feelin’ and cult classic albums such 1969’s Rusty Bryant Returns. He continued to be a part of Columbus’s jazz scene until his death in March 1991.
Kirk, who was born in Columbus in1936, became blind at the age of two and later attended the Ohio State School for the Blind. There he found his passion for instrumental music and eventually played the tenor saxophone in local jazz bands around Columbus as a teenage. Kirk suffered a stroke in 1975 that paralyzed one side of his body but continued playing with one hand until his death in 1977.
The induction ceremony will feature performances from jazz musicians along with a tribute performance from The Ohio State School for the Blind Jazz Ensemble. The Lincoln Theatre is located at 769 E Long St.
