A great documentary, filmed on location at the Sunset Sunside jazz club in Paris during a tribute to Wayne Dockery, produced by @SpiritofJazz , featuring @KirkLightsey, Darryl Hall Bassistll, Katy Roberts, Rasul Siddik, Doug Douglas Sides. Proud to appear in this documentary and producing the music played during that superb evening.

Kirk Lightsey – piano Chet Baker – trumpet, vocals (tracks 1 & 2) David Eubanks – bass Eddie Gladden – drums

Roland Haynes ‎– 2nd Wave #BlackJazzRecords 1975 🇺🇸 US Bass – #HenryFranklin Drums – #CarlBurnett Engineer [Mixing] – Ron Steele Engineer [Recording] – Jim Mooney Graphics – Grafica, Chicago Illustration – #VinceMorgan Keyboards – #KirkLightsey Keyboards, Written-By, Arranged By – #RolandHaynes Producer, Liner Notes – Gene Russell https://www.instagram.com/p/CAKT_tnpv1v/?igshid=1e4qgkbml45cs

• 🖤Surrounded by talent and love 🖤• Last night to my girl @gigiorigo out to @officialronnies to hear the incredible @kurtelling @contactadonis was on the drums and while we were hanging at the bar (as one always does at Ronnie’s) the legendary #kirklightsey walked in from playing a gig @vortexjazzclub with vocalist @iamchandarule I had to get a group picture. Of course this was right before @lukesmithmusic walked in with @official_mcknasty ... Oh the bar at Ronnie’s... #londonnights (at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpRJpHnBGCO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kh9dgqt9wtfz

Doug Hammond ‎– Spaces #idbib US 1982 Alto Saxophone, Flute – #ByardLancaster Alto Saxophone, Mixed By – #SteveColeman Artwork – #HalWilson Cello – #MuneerAbdulFataah Drums – #DougHammond Executive-Producer – Disk Union Mixed By – Joseph Marciano* Photography By – H. Lukas Lindenmaier Piano – #KirkLightsey

Welcome to this special edition of The Pace Report reporting from this year's 37th annual Detroit Jazz Festival.Detroit native and jazz icon Kirk Lightsey returned home for this year's DJF performing with the legendary Louis Hayes and Robert Hurst in a homecoming series on the mainstage.Mr. Lightsey began his musical career in Detroit starting off playing the clarinet then switched playing piano studying under Johnson Flanagan, pianist Tommy Flanagan's older brother. Kirk attended Cass Technical High School where he was classmates with other up and coming jazz notables Paul Chambers and Hugh Lawson. While there, Kirk was a member of the Cass Tech Orchestra which featured bassist Ron Carter and Kiane Zawadi. During his teens he had the chance to play and study music with other great Detroit musicians like Dr. Barry Harris, Lonnie Hillard, Ira Jackson, and Charles McPearson.Throughout Kirk's 60 years as a leader, sideman, and accompanist; he's backed the likes of Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, George Coleman, Sonny Stitt, Woody Shaw, Freddie Hubbard, David Murray, Damita Jo, O.C. Smith, and Harold Land.In the 1980's Kirk was a mainstay at Bradley's, one of the top jazz clubs in New York City.As of the last three years, Kirk has returned to New York City to play at the famed Village Vanguard, Jazz Standard, and Mezzrow to rave reviews and sold-out shows. Although he's lived in Paris for over 15 years now, he still claims his deep Detroit roots.I had the honor to sit down with Kirk to talk about his Detroit musical roots, his relationship and role as an accompanist, and his take on today's jazz musicians and jazz scene.