The fellow passengers aboard the Columbus Transit Company bus headed toward West Mound Street and Jets Stadium in 1955 may or may not have realized they were witnessing the beginning of a friendship that would help shape jazz history. Roland Kirk was already something of a local prodigy. Todd Barkan was a young pianist and devoted jazz fan. Their chance meeting that day forged a bond that would last a lifetime and leave an indelible mark on both of their careers. Rahsaan Rola
