Sun Ra

Sun Ra was an eccentric Jazz musician, pianist, band leader, and composer. Born Herman Poole Blount in Birmingham, Alabama, Ra often claimed to be from the planet Saturn - a claim that is reflected in the otherworldly nature of his musical vision. Although he wrote and composed in many different styles of Jazz, Sun Ra is probably best known as a prolific and influential figure in the Free Jazz music scene. Along with his backing band The Arkestra, Sun Ra also helped introduce a new emphasis on the spiritual, mind altering properties of music and the notion of the cosmic nature of our existence.

Fast Facts

1. Name: Herman Poole Blount
2. Life: May 22, 1914? - May 30, 1993
3. Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
4. Died of Pneumonia in 1993
5. Pioneer of the Afrofuturism movement
6. A feature film entitled Space is the Place (based on the song by the same name) was released in 1974 and stars Sun Ra and his band

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