Kirk, Willis F.

Willis Kirk grew up in Indianapolis. He taught in the Indianapolis public schools for twelve years. In the late 1960s, he moved to Oakland, California where he was a teacher. During his time in Indiana and California, he performed in many professional musical events. He performed with Lionel Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Jimmie Coe, Slide Hampton, Earl Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Harris, Charlie Parker, Wes, Monk, and Buddy Montgomery among others. He wrote and recorded the jazz oratorio, "Rejoice! Rejoice!"