JUL 20-23 | SUN RA ARKESTRA
Jul 22 - Jul 23, 2023
Miner Auditorium
PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production
Please visit our calendar for all upcoming SFJAZZ shows.
Original show description below.
Please note: Dance floor is General Admission standing room only. If you would prefer seats, please select a different level for this show. Patrons with seats, please enter the auditorium through the 2nd floor entrances.
Please note: 99 year-old bandleader Marshall Allen is no longer traveling with the band on concerts outside the Philadelphia region, and therefore will not be performing during these shows. The rest of the band will be participating in these concerts.
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.
For the last two nights of their week, the band performs Sun Ra’s music associated with the big band swing tradition.
Born Herman Blount, the enigmatic composer and keyboardist known as Sun Ra created an entire universe of expression through his pioneering Afro-futurist 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 that combined futuristic concepts with ancient Egyptian iconography.
One of the most prolific recording artists of all time, he released over a hundred full-length albums and innumerable singles during his career. His 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 Marshall Allen (who will not be performing during these concerts) for the last dozen years. Sun Ra claimed to have come from the planet Saturn to bring peace to Earth. His Arkestra continues this mission, needed now more than ever.
For the last two nights of their week, the Arkestra performs Sun Ra’s music associated with the big band swing tradition.
Just like the days of old, the members of the Arkestra play music untethered by gravity and time.
All About Jazz
Just like the days of old, the members of the Arkestra play music untethered by gravity and time.
All About Jazz
Personnel
Elson Nascimento percussion, surdo
Jorge De Silva percussion
George Grey drums
Tyler Mitchell bass
Farid Barron piano
Kevin Bachelor trumpet
Cecil Brooks trumpet
Dave Davies trombone
Robert Stringer trombone
Knoel Scott baritone sax
Chris Hemingway alto saxophone
Anthony Nelson saxophone
James Stewart tenor sax
Tara Middleton vocals
Kash Killion cello
Just like the days of old, the members of the Arkestra play music untethered by gravity and time
All About Jazz
Personnel
Elson Nascimento percussion, surdo
Jorge De Silva percussion
George Grey drums
Tyler Mitchell bass
Farid Barron piano
Kevin Bachelor trumpet
Cecil Brooks trumpet
Dave Davies trombone
Robert Stringer trombone
Knoel Scott baritone sax
Chris Hemingway alto saxophone
Anthony Nelson saxophone
James Stewart tenor sax
Tara Middleton vocals
Kash Killion cello
Just like the days of old, the members of the Arkestra play music untethered by gravity and time
All About Jazz
Watch & Listen
Sun Ra Arkestra
Reflections In Blue
Sun Ra Arkestra
Tapestry From An Asteroid
Sun Ra Arkestra
Reflections In Blue
Sun Ra Arkestra
Tapestry From An Asteroid
JUL 20-23 | SUN RA ARKESTRA
JUL 20-21
The Exploratory Side of Sun Ra
Sun Ra Arkestra: An Adventure Into Outer SpaceAn Adventure into Outer Space