Remembering the great Sun Ra who was born on this day in 1914. Known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances, Ra led “The Arkestra”, an ensemble with an ever-changing name and flexible line-up.
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. He was highly regarded for his atonal solos on synthesizer, an instrument that he virtually pioneered in jazz. 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.
Here, he is performing live in Baltimore. Footage from the documentary “Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise” by Robert Mugge.
The saddest compilation video I have ever made. But perhaps also the most positive if it causes a reduction in plastic pollution in 2024. In once pristine seas, every nearshore plankton sample I now collect contains plastic microfibers. (Sound On) @zeiss_micro