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Hawthorne bridge performer Kirk Reeves has died

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Kirk Reeves in 2008.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)


Beloved street musician and comedian Kirk Reeves has died. Reeves is known to many for his presence (if not by name) on the west end of the Hawthorne Bridge, where he sat on the south sidewalk and played his trumpet for thousands of evening commuters. Reeves was a working performer who hosted his own show on cable access and was working on a movie.

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Street Roots profiled him back in 2010 and he was featured here on the BikePortland Front Page in 2008 (we looked into how his presence on the sidewalk was impacting safety).

Reeves’ white tuxedo, Mickey Mouse hat, horn playing, and broad smile will be missed by many.

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For more local reaction to Reeves’ passing, see this Facebook update from someone who knew him.

UPDATE, 2:54 pm: The Multnomah County medical examiner told me that Reeves did indeed pass away, but they have not released any official confirmation or other information because they haven’t been able to track down his family.

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