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The Sun Ra Arkestra
2023 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
2023 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
Background information
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres Jazz
Years activemid-1950s - present
Past members Sun Ra, Atakatune (Stanley Morgan), Danny Ray Thompson
Website sunraarkestra.com

The Sun Ra Arkestra is an American jazz group formed in the mid-1950s and led by keyboardist/composer Sun Ra until his death in 1993. The group is considered a pioneer of afrofuturism. [1] [2] Since 1995 the Arkestra has been led by saxophonist Marshall Allen, an Arkestra member since 1958, who is supported by more than a dozen other musicians. [3]

History

The band is headquartered in a rowhouse in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood. Saxophonist and current leader Marshall Allen has lived and worked in the house since 1968. [4]

In 1976, Vincent Chancey, an American jazz hornist joined the group. [3]

In 1993, John Gilmore became the leader of the Arkestra after Sun Ra died. [5]

In 1995, Allen became the leader of the Arkestra after Gilmore's death. [6]

In 1999, the Arkestra released the studio album, A Song for the Sun. [3]

In 2009, Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art hosted an exhibition of the group's history and artistry. [2]

In 2012 Tara Middleton, a violinist and vocalist joined the group. [3] [7]

In 2017, the Arkestra opened for Solange on her tour supporting her 2016 album, A Seat at the Table. [2]

In 2019, the Arkestra had a major performance at the Hollywood Theater in Portland, Oregon. [2]

In October 2020, the Sun Ra Arkestra released Swirling, the first album the band released in 20 years. [4] [3] The band recorded the album at Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Soundworks and was released on Strut Records. [2] The album features the first-ever recording of Sun Ra's song "Darkness." [8]

Music style and influences

The Arkestra draws from a range of musical genres: swing, rock 'n' roll, Chicago blues, improvisation and electronic. [7]

When the Arkestra performs, the band members wear flashy capes and sequined headdresses. [4] [7]

Discography

Studio Albums

  • A Song of the Sun (1999)
  • Swirling (2020)
  • Living Sky (2022) [9]

See also Sun Ra discography

Live Albums

  • Babylon Live (In + Out Records/2015) [10]

References

  1. ^ "On 'Swirling,' Marshall Allen Keeps The Sun Ra Arkestra Soaring Through Space". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e Shaffer, Claire (2020-06-23). "Sun Ra Arkestra Announce First Album in 20 Years". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  3. ^ a b c d e Effinger, Shannon. "Marshall Allen is 96 years old and still leading one of the most visionary jazz groups of all time". Washington Post. ISSN  0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  4. ^ a b c "After partial collapse, neighbors help make Sun Ra's Philly space the place again". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  5. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Marshall Allen Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  6. ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Marshall Allen Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  7. ^ a b c Russonello, Giovanni (2020-10-27). "Earth Couldn't Contain Sun Ra's Ideas. His Arkestra Is Still Exploring Them". The New York Times. ISSN  0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  8. ^ Kreps, Daniel (2020-07-16). "Sun Ra Arkestra Revisit Jazz Legend's Classics on New Album 'Swirling'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  9. ^ Bloom, Madison (2022-07-21). "Sun Ra Arkestra Announce New Album Living Sky, Share New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  10. ^ Fordham, John (2015-07-02). "Sun Ra Arkestra/Marshall Allen: Babylon Live review – otherwordly space-jazz". The Guardian. ISSN  0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-15.

External links