Arkestra

1969, the year of the Apollo moon landing, marked another change of scene for the Arkestra, moving from New York to Philadelphia. That year also marked a change of fortunes for Sun Ra, with his face… Audio

Sun Ra moved the Arkestra from Chicago to New York in 1960 and quickly became an integral part of the radical, politically conscious, avant-garde arts scene of the Lower East Side. Part 3 of Strange… Audio

In the mid 50s Sun Ra formed the Arkestra, the cosmic big band that would become his vehicle for musical exploration for the rest of his life. In contrast to the strip club bands he'd been working… Audio

Sun Ra's 'arrival' on Earth, his early years in Alabama, the music of the south that would be a life-long influence on his own work, and his move to Chicago as part of the 'great migration' of African… Audio

A look at the career of one the 20th century's great composers, band leaders and eccentrics, Sun Ra. A mysterious and elusive figure, for most of his life Sun Ra constructed a web of myths and legends… Audio