Sun Ra
Sun Ra was an American jazz composer known for his experimental music. For much of his career, he led the band called "The Arkestra.” He was involved in the Chicago jazz scene during the late 1940s. He soon abandoned his birth name, becoming Sun Ra (after Ra, the Egyptian god of the Sun) claiming to be an alien from Saturn on a mission to preach peace. As a teenager, Sun Ra demonstrated exceptional musical talent. He went to big band performances and would produce full transcriptions of the bands' songs from memory. By his mid-teens, he was performing semi-professionally as a solo pianist and member of various ad hoc jazz and R&B groups. He dropped out of college stating that he had a visionary experience. He claimed, “a bright light appeared around him and that he landed on a planet identified as Saturn. I was told me to stop attending college and that the world was going into complete chaos and that I would speak through music.
In 1942, Sun Ra received a selective service notification. He declared himself a conscientious objector, objecting to war and killing and his cryptorchidism. The draft board rejected his claim but was approved for alternate service at Civilian Public Service camp in Pennsylvania, but he did not appear. He was arrested in Alabama for failure to appear. In district court, the judge ruled that Sun Ra was violating the law. Sun Ra responded saying that he would use military weapons to kill the first high-ranking military officer possible. The judge sentenced him to jail saying, "I've never seen a nigger like you before." Sun Ra replied, "No, and you never will again.”
In March 1943, he was allowed returned to Birmingham. He formed a new band and soon was playing professionally. Sun Ra and the Arkestra relocated to the Germantown section of Philadelphia where they moved into a house on Morton Street that became the Arkestra's base of operations. It eventually became known as the Arkestral Institute of Sun Ra. Sun Ra identified closely with the struggles for Black power, freedom, and Black identity. He saw his music as a key element in educating and liberating Blacks. But in the early 60s, Sun Ra was expressing disillusionment with these ambitions. In 1970 he said, “I couldn't approach Black people with the truth because they like lies. At one time, I felt that White people were to blame for everything, but then I found out that they were just puppets and pawns of some greater force. Some force having a good time manipulating both Black and White people, wondering, "when are they' going to wake up?”
His philosophy can be understood from his film “Space is the Place." In a meeting with "the Overseer", a devil-like figure, Sun Ra agrees to play a game of cards to "win" back the Black community. Sun Ra's goal was to transport the Black community to a new planet through his music.”
In 1942, Sun Ra received a selective service notification. He declared himself a conscientious objector, objecting to war and killing and his cryptorchidism. The draft board rejected his claim but was approved for alternate service at Civilian Public Service camp in Pennsylvania, but he did not appear. He was arrested in Alabama for failure to appear. In district court, the judge ruled that Sun Ra was violating the law. Sun Ra responded saying that he would use military weapons to kill the first high-ranking military officer possible. The judge sentenced him to jail saying, "I've never seen a nigger like you before." Sun Ra replied, "No, and you never will again.”
In March 1943, he was allowed returned to Birmingham. He formed a new band and soon was playing professionally. Sun Ra and the Arkestra relocated to the Germantown section of Philadelphia where they moved into a house on Morton Street that became the Arkestra's base of operations. It eventually became known as the Arkestral Institute of Sun Ra. Sun Ra identified closely with the struggles for Black power, freedom, and Black identity. He saw his music as a key element in educating and liberating Blacks. But in the early 60s, Sun Ra was expressing disillusionment with these ambitions. In 1970 he said, “I couldn't approach Black people with the truth because they like lies. At one time, I felt that White people were to blame for everything, but then I found out that they were just puppets and pawns of some greater force. Some force having a good time manipulating both Black and White people, wondering, "when are they' going to wake up?”
His philosophy can be understood from his film “Space is the Place." In a meeting with "the Overseer", a devil-like figure, Sun Ra agrees to play a game of cards to "win" back the Black community. Sun Ra's goal was to transport the Black community to a new planet through his music.”
Famous Cards
This was a really great read! I learned a lot such as Afrofuturism. It seems Sun Ra had quite a mission to accomplish “here” during his visit. Bringing music and “unearthly” things together to elevate humanity’s consciousness- I’d say he was well versed and very successful.
ReplyDeleteSun-Ra is the king of Jazz
ReplyDeleteLots of interesting details here.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible story!
ReplyDelete