The enduring legacy of jazz visionary Sun Ra is celebrated by this ensemble made up of Arkestra veterans and a younger generation of exploratory musicians under the direction of saxophonist Knoel Scott, who has been an intrinsic part of the band for 46 years. They return with music from around the cosmos with varying sets from night to night.
Born Herman "Sonny" Blount, the enigmatic composer and keyboardist known as Sun Ra created an entire universe of expression through his pioneering Afrofuturist concepts in music and philosophy. He integrated Ellington-influenced big band swing with free jazz, the blues, electronics, and African musical traditions while establishing a singular visual style.
One of the most prolific recording artists of all time, he and the Arkestra released over a hundred full-length albums and innumerable singles that have become some of the most collectible jazz records in existence. The Arkestra appeared on Saturday Night Live and was named Best Big Band in DownBeat's Critics Poll five times.
Since Sun Ra's death in 1993, the Arkestra has continued to record and perform under the direction of saxophonists Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott.
Sun Ra claimed to have come from the planet Saturn to bring peace to Earth, and his legacy, the Arkestra, continues this mission - needed now more than ever.
~~~
The Arkestra's big-band traditionalism is as radical today as their Afro-futurist iconoclasm has been since the 1950's.
show less
Born Herman "Sonny" Blount, the enigmatic composer and keyboardist known as Sun Ra created an entire universe of expression through his pioneering Afrofuturist concepts in music and philosophy. He integrated Ellington-influenced big band swing with free jazz, the blues, electronics, and African musical traditions while establishing a singular visual style.
One of the most prolific recording artists of all time, he and the Arkestra released over a hundred full-length albums and innumerable singles that have become some of the most collectible jazz records in existence. The Arkestra appeared on Saturday Night Live and was named Best Big Band in DownBeat's Critics Poll five times.
Since Sun Ra's death in 1993, the Arkestra has continued to record and perform under the direction of saxophonists Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott.
Sun Ra claimed to have come from the planet Saturn to bring peace to Earth, and his legacy, the Arkestra, continues this mission - needed now more than ever.
~~~
The Arkestra's big-band traditionalism is as radical today as their Afro-futurist iconoclasm has been since the 1950's.
The enduring legacy of jazz visionary Sun Ra is celebrated by this ensemble made up of Arkestra veterans and a younger generation of exploratory musicians under the direction of saxophonist Knoel Scott, who has been an intrinsic part of the band for 46 years. They return with music from around the cosmos with varying sets from night to night.
Born Herman "Sonny" Blount, the enigmatic composer and keyboardist known as Sun Ra created an entire universe of expression through his pioneering Afrofuturist concepts in music and philosophy. He integrated Ellington-influenced big band swing with free jazz, the blues, electronics, and African musical traditions while establishing a singular visual style.
One of the most prolific recording artists of all time, he and the Arkestra released over a hundred full-length albums and innumerable singles that have become some of the most collectible jazz records in existence. The Arkestra appeared on Saturday Night Live and was named Best Big Band in DownBeat's Critics Poll five times.
Since Sun Ra's death in 1993, the Arkestra has continued to record and perform under the direction of saxophonists Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott.
Sun Ra claimed to have come from the planet Saturn to bring peace to Earth, and his legacy, the Arkestra, continues this mission - needed now more than ever.
~~~
The Arkestra's big-band traditionalism is as radical today as their Afro-futurist iconoclasm has been since the 1950's.
read more
Born Herman "Sonny" Blount, the enigmatic composer and keyboardist known as Sun Ra created an entire universe of expression through his pioneering Afrofuturist concepts in music and philosophy. He integrated Ellington-influenced big band swing with free jazz, the blues, electronics, and African musical traditions while establishing a singular visual style.
One of the most prolific recording artists of all time, he and the Arkestra released over a hundred full-length albums and innumerable singles that have become some of the most collectible jazz records in existence. The Arkestra appeared on Saturday Night Live and was named Best Big Band in DownBeat's Critics Poll five times.
Since Sun Ra's death in 1993, the Arkestra has continued to record and perform under the direction of saxophonists Marshall Allen and Knoel Scott.
Sun Ra claimed to have come from the planet Saturn to bring peace to Earth, and his legacy, the Arkestra, continues this mission - needed now more than ever.
~~~
The Arkestra's big-band traditionalism is as radical today as their Afro-futurist iconoclasm has been since the 1950's.
show less
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SFJAZZ Center - SF Jazz
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201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
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