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The Sun Ra Arkestra
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
GenresJazz
Years activemid-1950s - present
Past membersSun Ra, Atakatune (Stanley Morgan), Danny Ray Thompson

The Sun Ra Arkestra is an American jazz group formed in the mid-1950s. The group is considered a pioneer for what became afrofuturism.[1][2] The band is currently led by Marshall Allen who is supported by more than a dozen other members.[3]

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History

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The band is headquartered in a rowhouse in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood. Since 1968, the group's founding saxophone player, Marshall Allen, has lived and work in the house.[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 album, A Seat at the Table.[2]

In 2019, the Arkestra had their last 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

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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 where flashy capes and sequined headdresses.[4][5]

Discography

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Studio Albums

  • A Song of the Sun (1999)
  • Swirling (2020)

References

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  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; 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 d "After partial collapse, neighbors help make Sun Ra's Philly space the place again". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Kreps, Daniel; Kreps, Daniel (2020-07-16). "Sun Ra Arkestra Revisit Jazz Legend's Classics on New Album 'Swirling'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-03-07.