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Shadow World

Sun Ra Arkestra

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The "Sun Ra Arkestra" appear live in East Berlin, Germany on October 29, 1983.

Personnel:

Sun Ra, piano & keyboard
Lester Bowie, trumpet & vocals
Don Cherry, trumpet
Marshall Allen, alto sax
John Gilmore, tenor sax
Archie Shepp, tenor sax & vocals
Pat Patrick, baritone sax
Richard Davis, bass
Don Moye, percussion
Philly Joe Jones, drums
Clifford Jarvis, drums

In the Fall of 1979 Sun Ra's assembly began performing at the Squat Theatre on New York's 23rd St.

He transformed the advent guard establishment into a big band "space" filled with sexy dancing girls dressed as the planet Jupiter, and Ra in the mist of it all conducted while playing three synthesizers.

A disciplined musical director Sun Ra drank only club soda and would tor extensively with his "Arkestra" throughout the 1980s.

Sun Ra became an important jazz figure in Philadelphia, making regular radio appearances on WXPN and speaking at an occasional lecture.

Since Ra's death in 1993 his "Arkestra" continued to record and perform under the leadership of John Gilmore for two years until his own death in 1995.

The group is now directed by alto saxophonist Marshall Allen who carries on Ra's vision.

That's how we grow.

Thanks!