The Sun Ra Arkestra

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] As of 2022, the Arkestra is led by saxophonist Marshall Allen, an Arkestra member since 1958, who is supported by more than a dozen other musicians.[3]

The Sun Ra Arkestra
2023 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
2023 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
Background information
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
GenresJazz
Years activemid-1950s - present
Past membersSun Ra, Atakatune (Stanley Morgan), Danny Ray Thompson
Websitesunraarkestra.com

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, Allen became the leader of Arkestra after Sun Ra died.[4]

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][5]

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."[6]

Music style and influences

The Arkestra draws from a range of musical genres: swing, rock 'n' roll, Chicago blues, improvisation and electronic.[5]

When the Arkestra performs, the band members wear flashy capes and sequined headdresses.[4][5]

Discography

Studio Albums

  • A Song of the Sun (1999)
  • Swirling (2020)
  • Living Sky (2022)[7]

See also Sun Ra discography

References
Library resources about
The Sun Ra Arkestra
  1. "On 'Swirling,' Marshall Allen Keeps The Sun Ra Arkestra Soaring Through Space". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  2. Shaffer, Claire (2020-06-23). "Sun Ra Arkestra Announce First Album in 20 Years". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  3. 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. "After partial collapse, neighbors help make Sun Ra's Philly space the place again". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  5. 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.
  6. Kreps, Daniel (2020-07-16). "Sun Ra Arkestra Revisit Jazz Legend's Classics on New Album 'Swirling'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  7. Bloom, Madison (2022-07-21). "Sun Ra Arkestra Announce New Album Living Sky, Share New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
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