Sun Ra Centenary Session
Jez Nelson introduces a studio session with the Sun Ra Arkestra and guest saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings to celebrate the life of composer and bandleader Sun Ra.
A second chance to hear one of the highlights of 2014 - the Sun Ra Arkestra in session, celebrating the centenary year of the band's iconic leader.
One hundred years since his birth and over twenty since he left for his home planet, Sun Ra remains one of the most intriguing and influential figures in contemporary jazz. His legendary big band, the Arkestra, continues to sell out concert halls worldwide and he is referenced in a wide range of contemporary music and other artforms to this day. There have been several live recordings of the Arkestra since Sun Ra died in 1993 but little in the way of high fidelity studio sessions. Furthermore, while Sun Ra is frequently cited for his outlandish personality and sci-fi stageshows, his substantial achievements as a composer are often overlooked.
To mark his centenary year in 2014, Jazz on 3 presents an ambitious studio session with the core 14-strong Arkestra under the direction of original band-member Marshall Allen. Celebrating Sun Ra's rich songbook, the group performs a mixture of classic and rediscovered repertoire, and also features guest saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings.
Presenter: Jez Nelson
Producer: Joby Waldman
First broadcast 30th June 2014.
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Previous
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Travelling the Spaceways: The Cult of Sun Ra
Two decades after his death, why does Sun Ra continue to inspire an obsessive following?
Clips
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Sun Ra Arkestra - Angels And Demons At Play
Duration: 11:24
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Sun Ra Arkestra - Love In Outer Space
Duration: 09:05
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Jez Nelson meets Sun Ra
Duration: 03:02
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Gilles Peterson on collecting the art and music of Sun Ra
Duration: 02:48
Music Played
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Jez Nelson speaks to bandleader Marshall Allen
Sun Ra Arkestra in session at Livingston Studios, London on 18 June 2014
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Queer Notions
Composer: Coleman Hawkins
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Space Chord
Composer: Marshall Allen
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Wish Upon A Star
Composer: Leigh Harline
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Saturn
Composer: Sun Ra
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Love in Outer Space
Composer: Sun Ra
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Guest performer Shabaka Hutchings on his experience with the Arkestra
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Dancing Shadows
Composer: Sun Ra
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Swirling
Composer: Tara Middleton / Marshall Allen
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Discipline 27b
Composer: Sun Ra
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Angels And Demons At Play
Composer: Ronnie Boykins / Marshall Allen
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The Sun Ra Arkestra
Enlightenment
Composer: Sun Ra
Line Up
Marshall Allen 鈥� alto sax and EVI
Tara Middleton 鈥� vocals and violin
Knoel Scott 鈥� alto sax and percussion
Charles Davis 鈥� tenor sax
Shabaka Hutchings 鈥� tenor sax and bass clarinet
Danny Ray Thompson 鈥� baritone sax and percussion
Cecil Brooks 鈥� trumpet
Vincent Chancey 鈥� French horn
Dave Davis 鈥� trombone
Farid Barron 鈥� piano
Dave Hotep 鈥� guitar
Tylor Mitchell 鈥� bass
Elson Nascimento 鈥� percussion
Stanley Morgan 鈥� percussion
Wayne Smith Jnr 鈥� drums
Alexander Hawkins 鈥� Co-Producer
Steve Lowe 鈥� Engineer
Jonathan Gilmore 鈥� Assistant Engineer
Happy Birthday Sun Ra
Broadcasts
- Mon 30 Jun 2014 23:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Mon 3 Nov 2014 23:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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