Jazz Articles about Sun Ra

like 58

The Rocket Ship Takes Off

by Mark Corroto
May 23, 2012

I have good news and bad news. The bad news is the big record companies are dead. The good news is the big record companies are dead. Gone are the days of Columbia Records signing trumpeter Wynton Marsalis to a million dollar contract and then promoting the hell out of his vision of jazz, selling his records and supporting his touring. While the major labels were reassessing all forms of music from pop to hip-hop, jazz slipped further and further ...

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Sun Ra: The Eternal Myth Revealed Vol. 1

by Skip Heller
April 9, 2012

Author's note: Michael Ricci has ordained me with the power to come to you once a month and throw a little information your way. A lot of great music falls through the cracks, often enough because the people who make it don't live comfortably in some nice categorical box. If you're someone who prefers music to categorical boxes, this column is dedicated to you. I'm starting things off with a look into a document that embodies the great ...

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Sun Ra Arkestra: Sunrise in Different Dimensions

by AAJ Italy Staff
May 16, 2011

C'è sempre un buon motivo per portarsi a casa un disco di Sun Ra, qualsiasi disco di Sun Ra. Nel caso di Sunrise in Different Dimensions, giunto alla quarta ristampa (la seconda in CD dopo le due edizioni in Lp), di motivi buoni ce ne sono almeno due. Il primo, di natura, per così dire, accidentale, riguarda la singolare line-up dell'Arkestra. A Willisau, quella sera del 24 febbraio del 1980, non c'erano né tromboni, né contrabbassi: cinque ance, una tromba, ...

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Sun Ra: Interviews & Essays

by Florence Wetzel
February 14, 2011

Sun Ra: Interviews & EssaysJohn Sinclair, editorSoftcover; 256 pagesISBN: 9781900486729Headpress2010 In a jazz world full of colorful characters, nobody shines as brilliantly as keyboardist and bandleader Sun Ra (1914-93). Born Herman Blount in Alabama, Ra demonstrated musical talent and aptitude for hard work from an early age. Despite health problems and run-ins with the United States military, his jazz career slowly blossomed, and from 1947-49 he landed ...

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Sun Ra: College Tour Vol. 1

by Raul d'Gama Rose
August 7, 2010

Sun Ra College Tour Vol. 1ESP Disk2010 There is nothing quite as breathtaking as one of the early recordings of Sun Ra and his Arkestra. After his explosive and historic recordings The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra Vol. IVol. II were first released in 1965 and 1966, modern music was never the same. It is, in fact, debatable that guitarist Jimi Hendrix was an early acolyte, as were so many musicians of the ...

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Sun Ra Arkestra: Sunrise In Different Dimensions

by Chris May
June 22, 2010

Sun Ra ArkestraSunrise In Different DimensionshatOLOGY2010 (1980)

Sun Ra's discography is so vast, and its entry points so varied, that the late pianist and bandleader means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For most, Ra is probably best known for orchestral performances of his space-related, inside/outside, original compositions. And if that's your bag, you'll find plenty to love on this reissued live recording, which features 71:04 minutes ...

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Sun Ra Arkestra: Secrets Of The Sun & Live At The Paradox

by John Sharpe
June 12, 2010

Sun Ra & His Solar Arkestra Secrets Of The Sun Atavistic 2009 Sun Ra Arkestra Live At The Paradox In and Out Records 2009

In a world beset by economic crises, the continued existence of the Sun Ra Arkestra for over 55 years outside the mainstream is nothing short of miraculous and testament ...