SKF NOTE: Comedian Chevy Chase shares a story illustrating jazzman Roland Kirk’s incredibly sophisticated hearing. Just when I think my ear training is pretty good I come across this story, and it’s back to work I go.

I’m including Kirk’s “The Inflated Tear” for readers unfamiliar with his music, because this cut had a major impact on my musical life.

Chevy Chase: Roland Kirk…knew me by my footsteps when I’d go in to hear him. That’s the kind of ears these guys had, and it was also very flattering that I could go in early for one of his shows and he’d say, “Hi, Chevy.” He’d just hear my footsteps. What the heck?

Source: Chevy Chase, from an interview with Zev Feldman from the CD booklet included with Resonance Records’ Bill Evans Trio – Live at Ronnie Scott’s album.