Sun Ra Arkestra: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- čas přidán 4. 11. 2014
- Sun Ra was a big-band innovator, a pioneer of recording and playing with electronics, a poet, a cosmic philosopher, a bandleader and a keyboard innovator who claimed to be from Saturn. Herman Poole Blount would have turned 100 in 2014 had he not left us more than 20 years ago. But his spirit lives on, and so does his long-running band.
On Halloween 2014, the Sun Ra Arkestra - complete with costumes inspired by Egyptian symbolism and science fiction - performed a rousing, out-of-this-world Tiny Desk Concert. The band was led by 91-year-old alto saxophonist Marshall Allen, who's been with the Arkestra since the early 1950s. All these years later, no one makes soul-stirring, spaced-out jazz quite like the Arkestra.
SET LIST
Along Came Ra/Zoom 0:23
Queer Notions 2:23
Angels And Demons At Play 8:17
Interplanetary Music 15:03
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Mito Habe-Evans, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Colin Marshall, Susan Hale Thomas, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: Ryan Kellman - Hudba
Happy 100th birthday to Marshall Allen! Love him for keeping the Arkestra afloat. ❤❤❤🎂🎂🎂
That's my Aunt, Tara the Singer!!!!!
cool!
Tara Middleton is gorgeous and so talented.
"hey auntie! "
Wakanda
Female Black Panther
She shreds!!! I play violin and I’ve never seen a violin like that it’s so beautiful! I’m sad she wasn’t mic’ed well so you couldn’t hear the violin over the brass. I could hear but also imagine what it sounds like bc Ik what kinds of sounds she’s making just by watching her!! Doing improve like this has taught me so much about myself and my instrument like I cannot emphasize this enough. It has helped heal me
Tara translates to Star in Nepali language.
I hope there is a Sun Ra Arkestra around forever.
UNDERSTAND HE BELIEVED HE WAS NOT FROM EARTH, SO HE FELT HIS MUSIC SHOULD SOUND LIKE NOTHING EARTHLY.
I think none of us originate on earth :-)
Ok
You talk in caps
@@Lord_Drakostar KINGS TYPE IN CAPS.....BUT U WOULD NOT KNOW THAT SINCE U NOT ROYALTY!!!! SO... IT IZ WATT IT IZ!!!!
heh but it sounds super earthly.......
I think all humans beings & life itself all comes from space!!! 🛸🪐
SUN RA WAS A GENIUS. MIXING FREE JAZZ WITH STRAIGHT AHEAD BIG BAND MUSIC AND ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS.
mad respect for these people. also they managed to fit behind the desk
Haha! Fitting behind that desk is a feat indeed!
Bless them for keeping Sun Ra's genius alive.
REST IN THE COSMOS SUN RA
I saw Sun Ra and his Arkestra around 1990 in a church in Victoriaville, Quebec. There was a young child of about 5 years old in front of me. Sun Ra's beat was so infectious the child couldn't help jumping up and down to their music. They had the audience swinging big time. They were great musically and visually.
I played bass with a mediocre pop trio a fortnight ago in Berlin Moabit and children in the front row frantically bounced...
Sun RA ANKHestra is thee most prolific mind blowing ensemble of artists who ever lived. These rhythms ain’t for the weak, or MINDS with ceilings. Love to My Folks keep on doing it! Chaotic Cosmic Be Bop Fusion Play. Where centripetal centrifugal forces bond.
Sun Ra was arguably the greatest musician in all of the avant-garde. I'm so glad that his legacy lives on through his Arkestra.
Facts!!!
Him, and Dolphy are undefeated
Madlib turned me onto Sun Ra in the early 2000s and I’ve been a Sun Ra head ever since. This man was tuned into the spirit world and the natural way of things. The Tao so to speak. You can hear it in the music. Spiritual Jazz no doubt. Hope to meet Sun Ra on the other side
Perrin Partee I’m with you ... he was a gentle soul 🙂✨
Sun ra will smite you with the judgment
Me too! Madlib is a student of Ra and he showed me Ra through albums like The Unseen, Further Adventures, etc..
@@colonelcolonist6073 very cool!!! The lineage of Ra continues…
For all the naysayers... Sun Ra, his Arkestra, and his compositional approach to music is already soundly a part of Jazz's creative legacy worldwide, and let's not forget, that one of his original members, tenor saxophonist John Gilmore, once played with Art Blakey and became an inspirational favorite to John Coltrane. Music historically, has not been merely an entertainment activity and most of the ethnic music played for millenniums in diverse places throughout the world would be just as aversive to the modern American music consumer's ear as what is being rejected in this video. Americans listeners and audiences especially, have always been decades behind culturally. for even traditional Jazz musicians can barely work here and are starved into submission, obscurity, or in too many cases, exile.
+Jerome Williams (Jay Dubz) Amen. Very, very well said.
blah blah blah nobody gives af. this shit literally made my ears bleed. why why why???
chitwn hood. "literally" made your ears bleed? sounds serious - did you seek medical help? not that i care. it could be argued that one less hating musically ignorant dumbass in the world could be a good thing
I first heard "Heliocentric Worlds" in the late 60's and it sounded completely disorganized to me. After a few decades of studying and playing jazz, it sounds completely different, like a compressed iteration of all of music history. It was that record that had made me start studying music with intense passion to begin with.
We can't think that those who exist on the planes of lower vibrations could ever understand the complexities of advance musical languages.
Their pianist has mad chops.
Reminds me of Monk playing
@@KingfisherLtd yeah that chunky sound
After Sun Ra passed, he apparently knocked on the door of the Arkestra house and said “I’m next, I’m Sun Ra’s successor, I come from the same place…” Incredible musician…
I remember seeing Sun Ra (Arkestra, I presume) at the Detroit International Jazz Fest in 2002 or 2003. Had just played on an adjacent stage with my high school jazz band, stopped over to see these guys, and couldn't believe my eyes or ears. I still want one of those hats.
He died in 1993.
I wonder how many people with no previous exposure went onto npr's website when this aired and just thought that these were normal guys simply taking Halloween too seriously
I had no context the first time I saw this and thought they were all from the same nursing home.
@@seth468 Ah ha haaaa, wow that's hilarious, thanks for the crazy laughs ^ ^ !
I thought “oh I see. Another group with that Parliament look.” Lol 😆
I had the worst trip of my entire life trying to navigate a festival with them playing on the main stage. Time, consciousness, and relativity were all being jumbled up in a blender of whatever this madness was.
I can understand why
😂😂😂
Virginity detected
That’s because it’s a soundtrack for the de- assimilation movement meant for deeper philosophical critical thinking and to the active need to repair the conscious movement of revolutionary love so maybe you experienced an ego death of sorts? Not uncommon to experience with Sun Ra s compositions as it’s disarming dismantling reflecting not so much escapism but I enjoy both- this music reminds of sound clippings of documentaries dissecting conflict resolution of race, culture and humanities mental record of the 1950’s. What have we learned from the times of
The civil Rights Renaissance? How far has humanity come? Where is our current state of public memory and evolution from the divisive margins that had kept us separated or othered? and How do we push back on those same similar challenges now? What’s the life lessons of basic humanism ? We need our Humanity in tact now more than ever as we confront the fears of culture wars to diffuse them with intelligent emotional responses that lead us to collective rationale - the rationale mentality of not destroying ourselves, eachother or this planet we must learn to co exist in together. That’s what Sun Ra evokes me to lean into the complex to extract the simplicity- back to human to humanity.
So FRESH. Play The Arkestra everyday for Good Health. Vitamins for The Soul. You can't go wrong.
Richard Stanley
that‘s exactly how i see it too
he cleans out all the dirt from our earthly daily life with his cosmic q tips
This is about honest feeling and energy, not about presenting archetypical imagery that seeks to please its audience. To those of you who hate on this, but appreciate more contemporary jazz, please listen to Jazz in Silhouette, Supersonic Jazz, or maybe The Bad and the Beautiful before righting off the word of Ra. You can't deny there's some kind of wizardry afoot behind the Arkestra after listening to their more "normal" stuff. It's very organic, alive music. It's not quite the same without Ra's mastery of vibes, but with that said, Farid Barron is probably the only pianist I could imagine playing in for the Sun God, and I've never really heard much of him. That beautiful being needs to release a solo album stat.
Seanan Gibbs are you a writer ?
@@roamandgo7458 if he is, I have an edit to make. It should be “writing off,” not “righting off.”
Embrace the dissonance. It's intentional.
Why
@@BrendanCalliesComposer Why not?
@@BrendanCalliesComposer it express a different feeling than consonance
R e p i t i t i o n
L e g i t i m i z e s
@@C_L_E_M_O
R E P I T I T I O N
L E G I T I M I Z E S
my god. this is great. I also love the comments, bathe in the dissonance. the comments are really the cherry on top. people are so perplexed by this. stop and listen lol
The thin line between madness and genius .... brilliant
Tabs?
You're gonna need a lot of paper..
No.
yes please
Transcribe
SO I buy this album "Pathways to unknown worlds" in 1977 for 1.99 in the cut-out bin at the local record store. Played it numerous times and came to appreciate it. I have explored many of the recordings of this amazing artist. Glad to see these musicians carrying on the legacy of Sun Ra
Space is the place!
crnkspinnr 👉🏻🪐🚀👈🏻
A truly far out album 🎉
Oh Ra and Isis and Oshun and Shango and all the Deities, how I love this Arkestra! When Ra was still with us the celestial ensemble gave the most swinging concerts the first day of Kwanzaa at The Painted Bride, with everyone beautifully free and easy dancing and grooving. And I remember the even earlier Ra ensemble when I lived in NYC (my home town) in the 1960s, playing at places like Slug's on what was then the way way lower east side. Anybody with me on this? Ahh love! joy! beatific bliss!!!
Woww, Lucky girl! Nice history and remembers.
Greetings from Perú
Love this!!! I had no idea Sun Ra's Arkestra still performed. I watched "Space Is The Place" for the first time about two years ago. Blew my freaking mind. RIP Sun Ra & June Tyson. The current female vocalist in the group sounds just like June!
they still perform
met the arkestra & June Tyson back in the day several times in early 70s.. including the incredible Mr. Ra in front of the old " Five Spot" jazz club downtown Manhattan
An amazing live experience, such a joyous trip! Must be fantastic being part of this crew travelling to places and spaces giving such musical euphoria and enlightenment ❤
Sun Ra lives. Don't you know that yet?
Lead saxophonist is 91 years old? darn!
MAN THAT IS SO COOL, HE ONLY LOOK'S IN HIS 50s at most MUSIC GOOD MUSIC KEEP'S YOU YOUNG.
I have never experienced it's equal. This spoke to me in ways words never could and the music of Sun Ra takes me places I never imagined I could go. So beautiful. I think he is even better now able to conduct this music.
They're IN the music, creating and feeling it at the same time, wonderful
Saw Sun Ra twice in Boston back in th late 70's. Once the full Arkestra but they played straight hard bee bop. Just because I guess. Still, one of the best concerts I've seen.
Love this band so much. Gotta thank Sonic Youth for introducing me. They came up to my college for an artist residency in 1999. I volunteered to drive the van to NY to pick them up. Epic road trip / space travel!
Haha. It's post-Sun Ra; they only do a couple of songs of his, but it's still interesting, and they are having fun. ("Queer Notions" is a jazz standard written by Coleman Hawkins.) You ought to listen to some of the albums that Sun Ra made when he was alive -- I mean, in our space. A lot of them are on youtube. He was Mozart in the 22nd century, or something like that. Dissonance is harmony when it's done right.
Some of this is excellent
It is Sun Ra's arrangement of the Hawkins tune, so still a Sun Ra chart.
"Dissonance is harmony when it's done right" - that's wisdom right there.
Very hipster comment
Full of spirit, beware of expectations! Thank You for playing and posting.
I can't imagine a Universe without Sun Ra music
Oh my god, yes. This is amazing.
Broke a tooth jamming to this alone , hell yeah
😂. Lol
As a great man once said; Haters gonna hate.
You´re right dude!
couldn’t have said any better
Now you must acquire a taste for... FREE FORM JAZZ
I have lots of respect for Sun Ra's music and Arkestra. However, dear friend, when I read this comment it sounds soo hipster. This is very far from what free jazz impro is, where purpose is to get human and instruments into limits, by breaking structures or playing instruments with different forms. For instance, drums with rocks in the snare.. this is sort of an underground culture which started the 80s in right now is very alive, specially in cities with underground students atmosphere as Basil, Strasbourg, some parts of New York... You can listen to Natura Mortem for instance or get in rush hour store to catch-up that scene. But never say this is free jazz. And even less, never say people must acquire a taste or develop capacities for this, never. Music is free, Jazz is free.. Jazz is not music. Jazz is jazz
José Cristian Morales Márquez it’s a sponge bob quote
You know Jose, I don't think he was serious about that command there. Just a hunch. I appreciate your recommendations though, ty bb.
No mate, this is just pure garbage but, you stick with your Gersploosh and enjoy!
Embrace for chaos.
I found my way here after reading about him in Viv Albertine's (of legendary female British punk band - the Slits) autobiography . she raved about him. We all make out own way here - Cheers Viv!
_"Wrong is right!"_ (Thelonius Monk)
awesome. I had a phone conversation with Sonny in 1976. He was in Germantown, Pa at that time. He just said that he was very busy, yet wanting to make a compilation of sorts. He was playing many different styles, and wanted people to know what he was doing. Very interesting.
You don't need weed to get high... This "music" gets you VEEERY HIGH !! ....... and you flyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Sun ra my lord! Respect!
i hope the arkestra continues even beyond the future. a way of life that continues to be passed on through generations
:-) Love them. I went to see Sun Ra Arkestra at UWM in 1988, one of my favorite concerts
Even the little pumpkins look like they're grooving to this. Such a brilliant and lively set
Fan, desde los años "80 del siglo pasado. Adoro Sun Ra y la Arkestra!!!
The higher vibrations of the Sun Ra's Arkestra.
I want to be able to turn on the radio and hear this any time.
Oh my gosh everything about this video makes me so happy. I mean I had to just listen to the video with my eyes closed in order to get a full appreciation of the music at some points (the Halloween decorations and outfits are really distracting). But damn they're a crazy and awesome bunch.
this makes me want to kill kittens and puppies
Love in outer space is one of my all time favorite jazz tracks
i would pass out if i saw them live, i get so many goosebumps watching them perform
awesome Jazz'tasticness, I bought Nuclear War about 15 years ago and it took a bit of getting into, but it was worth the effort. Also the electronic saxa'thing had good comedic value, how can anyone not love this band!!
They certainly do. Glad to have found my Cosmic brothers & Sisters. Indian ragas have a foundation of discipline. I happened upon the artistic genius of the' irrationalists'' on the journey of the road less travelled with everyone trying to get in the last word.'Hell of a discussion across the universe dont ya think!
It's like a Jackson Pollock painting in music form. All over the place
Liked the video before watch it, didn't regret.
the wildness of these people is inspiring
my new fav tiny desk vid
Perfect chaos
This is how I feel making music sometimes. How much can I stress it's hard to express this.
Got into Sun Ra from a friend in South Philly in the 70s,and had the pleasure to meet on him and converse on Germantown and Chelten as he traveled with with his band members in he late 80s in philly.
Fuck yea, thank you NPR. Sun Ra is always a favorite
This is SO beautiful!!!!
Marshall Allen...ageless at 93.
And still going strong at 98
Great show...legends!
Life changing music!!!!
it was about 20 years ago that i got into Sun Ra. funny enough it was right around Halloween. good stuff!
FOCK YEAH ALL MUSIC SHOULD SOUND EXACTLY LIKE THIS
Although I don't like seeing so many negatives, if someone has an honest response or some intelligence, more power to them. God knows there are many insipid Tiny Desk Concerts. However, Ra is not the case. Sun Ra and his paradox always makes your brain itch and simultaneously scratches it. Chaos courts precision, cheesy show biz cross-pollinates with spontaneous, honest, fun music. If you want another Tiny Surprise check out the T-Pain Tiny Desk show. Who woulda known?
Swing on, Ra..
haters gonna hate. glad to see the arkestra still at it
Everyone is talking in big words about the genius but I’m here for my 89th time and still am just completely lost
Saw them last night with KV! Kurt came out late on their set and played guitar with them for a bit but at first, his guitar wasn’t working but as soon as he got his Jazzmaster on, his playing added to the performance
The best music is the stuff you have to actively listen to. This is not passive background music. It demands your attention.
Esse é o tipo de coisa que me faz feliz por estar vivo neste universo!
amazing performance
feels like an adult swim vidéo
Music by someone from SATURN has to be cool ...
Good music .happy to see this music still alive.
We'll be right back
At the beginning : Sounds like a stampede of elephants ... but I like it! ...
The essence and the "soul" of Africa from an imaginary world lost in the confines of the Universe! ...
Splendid Zen A free mind never enslaves! ...
Beautiful
they are so sparkly
I can certainly believe this music comes from the planet Saturn.
love love lovely nufff respect
Wow! Keeping the legacy going!
My favourite tink desk by far
Thats incridible, this "Afro-Cosmic Jazz" pick me much, and i love it. Greetings from Brazil.
Fresh avant garde jazz, legends!
Bless these souls
THAT was a Wild ride!
they are keeping contact with him
a volume warning would have been nice. shit that was loud! They dressed like christmas hard candies in the shiny wrappers. haha.
Along Came Ra reminiscent of the first track of Miles' Bitches Brew. Loved the electronic wind instrument in the second song Queer notions. Just genius. Third track had quite an expansive time sig if I had to guess 10/4? was glacial like Floyd. Interplanetary wasn't my groove, but I would party with this crowd any time.
Nobody can bat 1.000 in jazz. Loved all but the last track.
if you ask sun ra.. not only is his music not jazz, its not from the planet earth..
a very short applause for a cosmic performance.
This is so excellent.
OMFREAKING!!!!! why im just seeing this!!!!
Good stuff
Had the honor to work with past members of the arkestra & the story's I heard about Sun Ra where out this world! 🛸🪐