Le Sony'r Ra[2] (born Herman Poole Blount, May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993), 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.

Sun Ra, American jazz composer and keyboard player who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances, which included dancers and fantastical costumes inspired by ancient Egyptian attire and the space age.

Interview: Irwin Chusid on his Sun Ra work (2014) Rodger Coleman's Complete Sun Ra Sundays (2008–2015) Sun Ra Arkive magazine 2002–2003: issue 1 , issue 2 , issue 3 , issue 4

The Sun Ra Arkestra is an American jazz group formed in the mid-1950s and led by keyboardist/composer Sun Ra until his death in 1993. The group is considered a pioneer of afrofuturism.

Jun 28, 2021 · When the aliens came for Sun Ra, they explained that he had been selected for his “perfect discipline.” Not every human was fit for space travel, but he, with his expert control over his...

Sun Ra is arguably the most flamboyant Afro-American jazz artist of his generation. His style of composition and cosmic spiritual philosophy made him a bizarre figure. Early Life

Feb 5, 2025 · These mavericks took musical risks and pushed boundaries, and this hour, we're kicking the series off talking about the music and influence of composer, poet, bandleader and musician Sun Ra.

The Sun Ra Arkestra is known worldwide for its live shows that combine big-band swing, space-age free jazz, bebop, singing, dancing, chanting and Afro-pageantry. The Arkestra has been at the forefront of Afrofuturism since its inception. Herman Poole Blount — better known by his stage name, Sun Ra — founded the Sun Ra Arkestra in Chicago in ...

May 30, 1993 · American Free-Jazz composer, pianist and band leader. Widely recognized as music innovator, pioneer of free improvisation and modal jazz, and early user of electronic keyboards and synthesizers. Born as Herman Poole Blount, he legally changed his name into Le Sony'r Ra on October 20, 1952.

Mar 29, 2025 · Eclectic, outrageous, sometimes mystifying but always imbued with a powerful jazz consciousness, the music of Sun Ra has withstood its skeptics and detractors for nearly three generations. And well it should, since Sun Ra has been both apart of and ahead of the jazz tradition during that time.