Sun Ra Arkestra
Listen to Sun Ra Arkestra on Saturn or Rocket #9 to Venus
Consumed with outer space and all things egyptian, Sun Ra started out playing in the territory bands. He made his recording debut backing Wynonie Harris on "lighning struck the poorhouse." Moving to Chicago, he then joined the big band of Fletcher Henderson. Frequently playing the club Delisa, Sun Ra decieded he needed to form his own band. He then set about building the Arkestra.
Sun Ra assembled his first version of the Arkestra in Chicago. Originally they started out as a hard bop group with a twist. Eventually Sun Ra would incorporate African influences and his infatuation with outer space to create something very special. Musicians such as John Gilmore and Marshall Allen would sign up and stay with Sun Ra for over thirty years.
The Arkestra was to become one of the greatest bands ever assembled. Not only was it an unbelievable jazz band but they could swing blues amnd r&b with the best of them. The band members were to live communally with Sun Ra in New York and later Philadelphia. No women drugs or liquor were allowed in the house. The band would practice for days on end. With such accomplished players as Danny Davis, John Gilmore,and Marshall Allen on saxophones, Julian Priester on trombone, Ronnie Boykins on bass, and Robert Arry on drums,the Arkesrtra was a force more potent than an atomic bomb.
Although, Sun Ra has moved on to another world,the Arkestra continues to melt people's mind to this day spreading the gospel of Sun Ra. Under the direction of Marshall Allen , the Sun Ra arkestra will be performing all three nights of the Ponderosa Stomp with a different theme to their set each night. One night will be dedicated to space, another to big band swing blues and another to the great Sun Ra 45's.
The Sun Ra Arkestra directed by Marshall Allen
4 saxs / 2 trumpets / 2 trombones & a mighty rhythm section!
Marshall Allen - alto, flute, director
Yahya Abdul-Majid - tenor
Noel Scott - alto sax
Ray Scott - barritone sax
Fred Adams - trumpet
Michael Ray - trumpet
Dave Davis - trombone
Tyrone Hill - trombone
Art Jenkins - singer, percussion
Bill Davis - bass
Luquman Ali - drums
Dave Middleton - guitar
Elson Nascimento - percussion
Consumed with outer space and all things egyptian, Sun Ra started out playing in the territory bands. He made his recording debut backing Wynonie Harris on "lighning struck the poorhouse." Moving to Chicago, he then joined the big band of Fletcher Henderson. Frequently playing the club Delisa, Sun Ra decieded he needed to form his own band. He then set about building the Arkestra.
Sun Ra assembled his first version of the Arkestra in Chicago. Originally they started out as a hard bop group with a twist. Eventually Sun Ra would incorporate African influences and his infatuation with outer space to create something very special. Musicians such as John Gilmore and Marshall Allen would sign up and stay with Sun Ra for over thirty years.
The Arkestra was to become one of the greatest bands ever assembled. Not only was it an unbelievable jazz band but they could swing blues amnd r&b with the best of them. The band members were to live communally with Sun Ra in New York and later Philadelphia. No women drugs or liquor were allowed in the house. The band would practice for days on end. With such accomplished players as Danny Davis, John Gilmore,and Marshall Allen on saxophones, Julian Priester on trombone, Ronnie Boykins on bass, and Robert Arry on drums,the Arkesrtra was a force more potent than an atomic bomb.
Although, Sun Ra has moved on to another world,the Arkestra continues to melt people's mind to this day spreading the gospel of Sun Ra. Under the direction of Marshall Allen , the Sun Ra arkestra will be performing all three nights of the Ponderosa Stomp with a different theme to their set each night. One night will be dedicated to space, another to big band swing blues and another to the great Sun Ra 45's.
The Sun Ra Arkestra directed by Marshall Allen
4 saxs / 2 trumpets / 2 trombones & a mighty rhythm section!
Marshall Allen - alto, flute, director
Yahya Abdul-Majid - tenor
Noel Scott - alto sax
Ray Scott - barritone sax
Fred Adams - trumpet
Michael Ray - trumpet
Dave Davis - trombone
Tyrone Hill - trombone
Art Jenkins - singer, percussion
Bill Davis - bass
Luquman Ali - drums
Dave Middleton - guitar
Elson Nascimento - percussion