This website uses javascript to show most of the elements. With the various incarnations of his inimitable Arkestra, his repertoire ranged from boogie-woogie to … He was nicknamed "Sonny" from his childhood, had an older sister and half-brother, and was doted upon by his mother and grandmother. Ra is also closely associated with the Tree of Life myth, the Ben-Ben Stone and the Bennu Bird myths. Saturn's contribution to jazz, the unpeggably eclectic bandleader advanced the genre into the space age, planting the seeds for Afrofuturism. Sun Ra was born in Birmingham, Alabama on the 22nd of May in the year 1914. He passed away on, may 30, 1993 in Birmingham. Ra suffered a stroke in 1990, but he still continued to lead the Arkestra and compose music. Through his elaborate concerts, films, and countless recordings, he fused imagery and mythology related to ancient Egypt as well as science fiction, planting the seeds for what would eventually be referred to as Afrofuturism. In 1946–47 he was apprenticed to swing bandleader-arranger Fletcher Henderson. Sun Ra Family, Childhood, Life Achievements, Facts, Wiki and Bio of 2017. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lanquidity is a studio album by American jazz musician Sun Ra originally released in 1978 by Philly Jazz (with a shiny silver cover) and reissued on HDCD by Evidence Records in 2000 (with a light grey cover). Szwed wrote Doctor Jazz, a booklet about Jelly Roll Morton for the 2005 issue of The Complete Library of Congress Recordings by Alan Lomax on Rounder Records. A documentary film, Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise, directed by Robert Muge, was released in 1980. A documentary film, Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise, directed by Robert Muge, was released in 1980. Sun Ra was born Herman (Sonny) Blount in 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama. Le Sony'r Ra, better known as Sun Ra, was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, and poet known for his experimental music, "cosmic" philosophy, prolific output, and theatrical performances. 1 & 2, ESP, 1965 Space is the Place, Evidence, 1972 Purple Night, A&M, 1989 Sun Ra, who claimed to have been born on the planet Saturn, grew up in Birmingham, studied piano under noted teacher Fess Wheatley, and attended Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College (now University). Sun Ra (May 22, 1914 to May 30, 1993) was an innovative and individual jazz composer, bandleader and piano and synthesizer player, who came to be known as much for preaching his bizarre cosmic philosophy as for his phenomenal musical compositions and performances. He attended the Alabama University, then still an agricultural college. Musical composition, the act of conceiving a piece of music, the art of creating music, or the finished product. Earthlings themselves confused Sun Ra, the way they sorted themselves by Sun Ra discography and songs: Music profile for Sun Ra, born 22 May 1914. The sun, and therefore Ra, represented life, warmth, and growth to ancient Egyptians. 1. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Or, if you prefer a more straightforward approach to your musical biographies, Sun Ra was born Herman P. Blount in Birmingham, Alabama in 1914. Ra's music encompassed nearly every style of jazz, with roots in ragtime and swing to bebop and avant-garde jazz. Herman Blount (1914-1993), who later became known as Sun Ra, was a Birmingham native and visionary musician whose jazz styling and personal mythology left a lasting impression on modern music. He died on May 30, 1993 in Birmingham. He showed that, with imagination, commitment and a love of beauty, one can create one’s own future and make the impossible real. He freelanced at a variety of jobs in the Midwest, recording with blues singer Wynonie Harris in 1946 and working as a pianist/arranger with Fletcher Henderson in 1946 and 1947. In 1968, he relocated his group to Philadelphia, and the band undertook their first tour of the West Coast of the United States, exposing their elaborate performances to hippies and Deadheads. Being from another planet, he was naturally intrigued by everything earthly — especially music, because music is the one thing on Earth most like the stars. Critic Jason Ankeny [2] describes Marshall as "one of the most distinctive and original saxophonists of the postwar era." Sun Ra was born Herman (Sonny) Blount in 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama. A documentary film, Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise, directed by Robert Muge, was released in 1980. Responsible for the existence of all creation, he stays aboard his divine vessel and fights the demonic creature Apophis night after night to ensure that the world is never destroyed by chaos. Paying no mind to legalities, the Union local identified him as Herman Blount—we figure this was the name that was on the contract. American free-jazz composer, pianist and band leader. Born Herman Sonny Blount in Birmingham, Alabama (although he claimed he was from Saturn), Ra led his own band for the first time in 1934. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Biography submission guide. Sources. He was born Herman Blount on May 22, 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama, as discovered by his biographer, John F. Szwed, and published in his 1998 book. He led bands for nearly 60 years. Sun Ra was one of the great modern visionaries: he not only had a dream, but lived it to the full for over 40 years. His eccentric persona, experimentation with electronic music and free jazz, and the often unusual make-up of his performances left indelible marks on the world of jazz. Under his direction, big band and swing are played to perfection and beyond. The Sun Ra discography is one of the largest discographies in music history. Jazz musician. In this sense, composition is necessarily distinct from improvisation.…. Since Sun Ra's death, the Arkestra has continued to perform under the direction of Allen. Sun Ra was one of the great modern visionaries: he not only had a dream, but lived it to the full for over 40 years. He and his music are featured in the films The Cry of Jazz (1959), Space Is the Place (1971), and Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise (1980). Selected Discography. According to John Szwed's biography, Alton Abraham helped him obtain the gig. He was also the predominant creator god in ancient Egyptian religion. Sun Ra’s music and life are already astonishing, and Szwed uses his gifts of scholarship and relentless clarity to reveal this incredible story rather than try to compose it. After moving to New York in 1961, Ra performed some of his most advanced work. Synopsis This biography is as much about Sun Ra's music as it is about his passionate, often wildly unorthodox views on the galaxy, black people and spiritual matters. Selected discography. Ra died in 1993, and Gilmore led the Arkestra until his death in 1995, at which point Allen took over. The name Re was from Upper Egypt and the name Amun came from Lower Egypt. Bandleader, composer, arranger, keyboard player, poet, philosopher, and cosmonaut Sun Ra advanced jazz into the space age. Because of the life giving qualities of the sun the Egyptians worshiped the sun as a god. Born May 22, 1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, as Herman Poole "Sonny" Blount. From Blount, he became Le Sony's Ra, Sonny Blount and stuck to Sun Ra. Biography. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama. During the 1960s, the Arkestra released landmark albums such as The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Vol. The creator of the universe and the giver of life, the sun or Ra represented life, warmth and growth. Sun Ra, Paul Bley Allen is best known for his work with Sun Ra , having recorded and performed mostly in this context since the late 1950s, and having led Sun Ra's Arkestra since 1993. These meanings are interdependent and presume a tradition in which musical works exist as repeatable entities. Sun Ra’s music became increasingly exotic with the addition of African and Latin-American instruments. Died May 30, 1993, also in Birmingham, Alabama. Among his free jazz recordings, The Magic City (1965/66) is the most significant. Ra graduated from Parker High School. Sun Ra (1914– 1993) was an innovative jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesiser player, who came to be known as much for his Cosmic Afro-futurist Philosophy as for his phenomenal musical compositions and performances. Born: May 22, 1914 Birmingham, Alabama Pianist, Poet, Songwriter, Singer. At birth, he was named Herman Poole Blount.Ra changed his name severally before sticking to Sun Ra. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Sun Ra death: May 30, 1993; Birmingham, Alabama. Periodicals. Ra is the all-powerful God of the Sun and Light. Ra’s name came from Re and Amun. He was named after the popular vaudeville stage magician Black Herman, who had deeply impressed his mother. Amun Ra simply means: Hidden Light (Amun = Hidden/ Ra = Light) Recent research findings show us that Amun (Amen or Amon) is a modern god, within the ambits of Egyptian mythology. The Sun Ra discography is one of the largest discographies in music history. Presumably due to Sun Ra ’ s own purposeful lack of clarity, little else is known about his early childhood. Ra has been well served by Evidence's extensive repackaging of many of his Saturn dates, which have at last been outfitted with correct dates and personnel details. 1 also appeared on producer Tom Wilson's Transition Records. Le Sony'r Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993), better known as Sun Ra, was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano, synthesizer player, and poet. Jazz by Sun Ra, Vol. In 2003, he published a Miles Davis biography, So What: The Life of Miles Davis. Updates? Gilmore led the Arkestra on dates when Ra was too ill to perform. If you don't see the contents properly, try to activate javascript. Works better in Chrome or Firefox browsers. It looks like we don't have any Biography for Sun Ra Arkestra yet. Jazz musician Sun Ra (1914–1993) always said that he came from Saturn. 1 Biography 2 Gods of Egypt (2016) 3 Powers and Abilities 4 Items Among the first and oldest gods, Ra has existed for eternity. The Arkestra has continued to perform since Ra's passing in 1993, and he remains a crucial influence on all forms of creative, forward-thinking music. Related Posts. Ra became a fixture of Philadelphia radio stations and regularly gave lectures. The label released a double-CD collection of his limited single releases in 1996. Amun-Ra’s boat traveled across the sky by … The right eye of Ra represented the Sun; while the left eye of Ra represented the moon. Through his elaborate concerts, films, and countless recordings, he fused imagery and mythology related to ancient Egypt as well as science fiction, planting the seeds for what would eventually be referred to as Afrofuturism. Omissions? Sun Ra was one of the most unusual musicians in the history of jazz, moving from Fletcher Henderson swing to free jazz with ease, sometimes in the same song. Sun Ra, “one of the strangest artists that America has ever produced” was once on the cover of Rolling Stone, shared bills with the MC5, performed on Saturday Night Live, influenced everyone from Kenneth Anger to Pink Floyd and dreamed of the day that he could … Ra was thought to be the god of the sun and creation. Sun Ra was born on May 22, 1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA as Herman Poole Blount. Ra’s glory came to an end during the time when the Roman’s conquered Egypt in 30BC. This website uses javascript to show most of the elements. Complete Sun Ra 2017 Biography. Le Sony'r Ra, better known as Sun Ra, was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, and poet known for his experimental music, "cosmic" philosophy, prolific output, and theatrical performances. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Born Herman "Sonny" Blount in Birmingham, Alabama, he abandoned his birth name … For the Record …. After the Arkestra moved to New York about 1960, he became wholly involved with free jazz; he dispensed with composition entirely, creating works by conducting his improvisers. Ra was the god of the sun and light, who traveled across the sky every day in a burning boat. Space was the Place when eye was growing up. Sun Ra biography and related resources. Biography After Sun Ra's death in 1993, longtime band member John Gilmore took over duties leading the ghost band in creating music and touring. Find Sun Ra Arkestra bio, music, credits, awards, & streaming links on AllMusic Ra is the Egyptian god of the Sun. Ra was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1969. As he grew in his own vision, Sun Ra went so far as to claim he had come from Saturn. The Arkestra, which included dancers, dressed in fantastical costumes inspired by ancient Egyptian attire and the space age, and Sun Ra conducted while wearing flowing robes and futuristic helmets. Ra, the Sun God. The sun played a very important role in ancient Egyptian life. Jazz keyboardist, bandleader and composer Sun Ra recorded dozens of singles and over one hundred full-length albums, comprising well over 1000 songs, and making him one of the … The Arkestra recorded an original soundtrack for the film (unrelated to the Space Is the Place album), and it was eventually released on CD in the '90s. Ra's surrealist sci-fi epic Space Is the Place, preceded by an unrelated album of the same title, was released in 1974, subsequently becoming a major cult classic film. Albums include Lanquidity, Space Is the Place, and Jazz in Silhouette. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Posthumous albums of live material have appeared on labels such as DIW, Leo Records, and Kindred Spirits. Sun Ra Net Worth is $13 Million Mini Biography. Later concerts and recordings by Ra incorporated swing standards and even tunes from Disney movies, but maintained a heavy degree of improvisation, and remained highly unpredictable. Improvisations and mystical group chants with eccentric versions of swing tunes, sounding like spaced-out... Chants with eccentric versions of swing tunes, sounding like a spaced-out Fletcher Henderson orchestra Pianist poet... 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