The Birk Twins
The Birk Twins were an acrobatic act that performed throughout the 1940's and 50's. The act opened for some of the top entertainers of the time and traveled all over the world. The brothers broke up the act in the late 1950's to pursue other interests.
In 2009 I was contacted by John Birk about putting together a band to play and record the music that was originally written for the act and had not been heard in over 40 years.
In March of 2010 I assembled members of the Rogue Community College Jazz Band and other local musicians at North Valley High School to rehearse the music and record it.
This video is footage of the Birk Twins act from the early 1950's. I was able to paste together the footage with the music we recorded. This particular footage is not of the original act...however the music fits pretty well.
Here is a wonderful window into one of the most amazing stage acts from the 40's-50's and the music that the audiences heard. It should be noted that as the act toured the world their music was literally played by hundreds of musicians, including the top Jazz musicians in the country at the time.
It was fun to be able to play and record a part of history.
Dave Hegdahl
co-director RCC Jazz Band
2008-2010