Kirk Lightsey, A Detroit native,  had piano instruction from the age of five and studied piano and clarinet through high school. After service in the Army, Lightsey worked in Detroit and California.  In the 1960s as an accompanist to many legendary vocalists the likes of Betty Carter. He also worked with jazz giants such as Yusef Lateef, 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. In the 1980s and since he has worked with Jimmy Raney, Clifford Jordan, Marcus Belgrave, Woody Shaw, David Murray, Joe Lee Wilson, the late, great, Irish guitarist Louis Stewart, Adam Taubitz and Harold Land.  He has also worked with vocalists, Gregory Porter, Roberta Gambarini, and Joan Belgrave.
He is an accomplished flautist and occasionally doubles on flute in live performances. He has been living in Paris since 2000.

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