Sun Ra Arkestra: cosmic jazz beyond time

Dive into cosmic jazz with Sun Ra Arkestra, a timeless fusion of past, present, and future in dazzling, high-energy performances!

Step into a timeless musical journey with the Sun Ra Arkestra, recorded live at the Jazz à la Villette Festival (Paris) during the 24th edition of the festival. More than three decades after the passing of Sun Ra, born Herman Poole Blount, the radiant and enigmatic architect of cosmic jazz, his legacy still shines with unmatched brilliance. A visionary who defied all categories, Sun Ra left behind nearly 200 albums over five decades, while spreading his interstellar philosophy around the globe.

Since 1995, the torch has been carried by centenarian saxophonist Marshall Allen, a tireless guardian of Sun Ra’s galactic vision. Under his leadership, the Arkestra has released three acclaimed albums, Swirling (2020), Living Sky (2022), and Lights on a Satellite (2024), on the UK label Strut, which has also preserved the band’s legacy with a treasure of reissues.

Even in Allen’s absence that night, the magic is undeniable: the Sun Ra Arkestra continues to defy gravity and reinvent the moment. Blending fiery bebop, soulful grooves, electronic sparks, spiritual jazz, raw blues, and fearless free jazz, each performance is a dazzling odyssey, powered by wild improvisations and the collective energy of a legendary ensemble.

More than a concert, it’s a cosmic voyage, where past, present, and future collide in a radiant celebration of musical freedom.

Genre Live Show
Recording location Jazz à la Villette Festival
Production year 2025
TV Director Samuel Thiebaut