The Sun Ra Arkestra

directed by Marshall Allen

the story continues...

When the world was in darkness
Darkness is ignorance
Along Came Ra

Some called him Mr Ra
some called him Mr Re
others called him Mr Mystery

While the band has lost their founder and some of the original membership, the tradition and principles live on under the direction of Marshall Allen. Many band members remain and the years of dedicated practice and study are manifested in consistently elevating and enervating performances. Whether haunting ancient pyramids or Mayan Temples with eerie fluted refrains or summoning the cosmos with focused 'sun chords' or revisiting Fletcher Henderson or Ellington big bands or drumming their propulsion into the future found not on this confused planet but somewhere else, the loosest tight band or tightest loose band still on this planet invites you to travel their spaceways.

real audio sample of We Travel the Spaceways

(featuring Marshall Allen)


If I know of any upcoming performances
of the Sun Ra Arkestra
or offshoots such as
Tyrone Hill's Deep Space Posse
you'll find them here
other Sun Ra links
The Official Sun Ra Site down in Birmingham


as further evidence of true intent, please examine
the purpose statement from the registered charter
of Sun Ra's Ihnfinity Inc, reg 1/16/74 in the state of Illinois:

To perform spiritual-cosmic-intergalactic-infinity research works relative to worlds-dimensions-planes in galaxies and universes beyond the present now known used imagination of mankind, beyond the intergalactic central sun and works relative to spiritual and spiritual advancement of our presently known world. To awaken the spiritual consciousness of mankind putting him back in contact with his 'Creator'. To make mankind aware that there are superior beings (Gods) on other planets in other galazies. To make mankind aware that the 'Creator' (God) is here now and that he is also present in other world galaxies. To help stamp out ignorance destroying its major purpose changing ignorance to constructive creative progress. To use these spiritual-cosmic values for the greater advancement of all people of earth and creative live beings of this galaxy and galaxies beyond the intergalactic sun. To establish spiritual energy refilling houses (churches) where people can come to refill themselves with spiritual energy and seek their 'natural Creator' (God). To perform works as the 'Creator' (God) wills us, Ihnfinity, to perform.

(taken from John Szwed's Space is the Place)


return to List of Artists
or
the Philadelphia Story