Events Calendar

An enormous influence on generations of avant-jazz players—as well as artists ranging from Sonic Youth to Solange—the visionary Afrofuturism pioneer Sun Ra released over a hundred albums between the mid-1950s and his departure for Saturn in 1993. But the Sun Ra Arkestra continues to beam Ra’s cosmic messages around our humble planet, sometimes collecting mementos like a 2022 GRAMMY nomination for their album Swirling, which was called “challenging but intoxicating” by The Guardian, and “a total joy” by The Wire.

Known for melding Ellingtonian big band swing, transcendent free jazz, dancing, chanting, and lavishly-outfitted Afro-pageantry, the 13-piece Arkestra will touch down to make sure Ra’s “Afrofuturist ideas and concepts are still hurtling through space at light speed” (Rolling Stone).

—

The Sun Ra Arkestra features Noel Scott alto and tenor saxes, Vincent Chancey French horn, Elson Nascimento percussion/surdo, Tyler Mitchell bass, Wayne Smith drums, Cecil Brooks trumpet, James Stewart tenor sax, Tara Middleton vocals, D. Hotep guitar, Dave Davies trombone, Farid Barron piano, Beavin Lawrence baritone sax, Kevin Batchelor trumpet.