Bret thanks for this great article. Around the same time as your interview, I interviewed Maestro Ra for my radio show on WWUH. I too asked one short question-- not as short as yours though-- and he spoke for 2 hours straight. Later on I worked often with Arkestra alums like Charles Davis, Pat Patrick, (Cliff Barbaro too but that was before he went with the band). Jackie McLean told me when he was 17 he met Sun Ra , who asked him to join the band. Jackie said “I was scared of him. I ran away.”
When I saw the Arkestra perform at a club called Et Cetera ca. 1975 I spoke with Sun Ra afterwards and told him I did a Sunday afternoon radio show. He said he would be there. He showed up at the studio with an entourage and gave me Saturn albums with just paper covers. I still have them. We played his music and had a fascinating conversation about his music. I was surprised at how much he emphasized the discipline involved rather than free improvisation. I saw him perform a number of times before he left this planet. Later I saw Marshall Allen with the Arkestra a number of times, most recently at a 97th birthday celebration that Bill Worrell had at his firehouse. I had a conversation and got a photo with him. Thanks for this fascinating remembrance of Sun Ra and your meetings with him. Space Is The Place.
Glad you had the opportunity to spend some time with him, as well, Rusty. Sun Ra was a very unique individual. There are a number of such creators in Jazz, but Sun Ra stands aside as a remarkable being.
Thanks for sharing your Sun Ra story with us. That must have been a life altering experience. I first saw Sun Ra play at the Modern Theatre in Boston on Christmas Eve 1978. It changed my whole view of music to this day. Needless to say, that year was special for me, and you....
Absolutely, and thank you for the generous compliments; they're brief but deeply valued. Receiving recognition from an esteemed NEA Jazz Master, for your decades of Jazz activism,
and your groundbreaking work as Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival is truly heartening.
A man from Oman playing my Turkish 'oud while we are collecting signatures for a ceasefire in Gaza...at the Paseo Nuevo mall in Santa Barbara...as much as i would like to move to other places...there seems to be a need to educate or replace the legislators who seem firm in their willful ignorance...and then i do have a grandchild who will need re-educating too.
Also...my music teacher lives 15 minutes away...and though we have some 5yearold videos on YouTube...Makam Liberation Front...the 'band' is not gigging...but my teacher is in about 5 other bands...who do gig...every so often...Mexico sounds good...as does China...but yes..the struggle is here.
Great article about Sun Ra. I only saw him and the Arkestra perform once, in the mid-1980s in Northampton, MA. He performed a song with the refrain "HIStory, that's his story, MYstery, that's my story" that I've been searching for since but haven't found. It was very clever and one of the highlights of that Cosmic show.
Would you happen to know the song and which of his albums it may appear on? Thanks much! Mark
He actually did a variation of this several times. Try this one: https://sunra-mh.bandcamp.com/album/ra-to-the-rescue --the first track: "Mystery, Mr. Ra" ---"some call me Mr. Ra. Some call me Mystery. You can call me Mr. Mystery" --I know this thread happened a long time ago, hope y'all see this!
Bret, you are such a beautiful writer! I enjoyed this article so much. What an amazing experience to have basked in the presence of Sun Ra! Happy New Year!
Has anyone spoken of the film in which Sun Ra features? At one point he portrays a social worker behind a bank window, the image itself so hilarious that I had to leave the theatre for a while.
Bret thanks for this great article. Around the same time as your interview, I interviewed Maestro Ra for my radio show on WWUH. I too asked one short question-- not as short as yours though-- and he spoke for 2 hours straight. Later on I worked often with Arkestra alums like Charles Davis, Pat Patrick, (Cliff Barbaro too but that was before he went with the band). Jackie McLean told me when he was 17 he met Sun Ra , who asked him to join the band. Jackie said “I was scared of him. I ran away.”
Jackie!
I have never laughed so hard in my life as I did at the Arkestra's antics.
A precious set of memories, my encounters with Sun Ra.
Those were great times, musically.
When I saw the Arkestra perform at a club called Et Cetera ca. 1975 I spoke with Sun Ra afterwards and told him I did a Sunday afternoon radio show. He said he would be there. He showed up at the studio with an entourage and gave me Saturn albums with just paper covers. I still have them. We played his music and had a fascinating conversation about his music. I was surprised at how much he emphasized the discipline involved rather than free improvisation. I saw him perform a number of times before he left this planet. Later I saw Marshall Allen with the Arkestra a number of times, most recently at a 97th birthday celebration that Bill Worrell had at his firehouse. I had a conversation and got a photo with him. Thanks for this fascinating remembrance of Sun Ra and your meetings with him. Space Is The Place.
Rusty
Glad you had the opportunity to spend some time with him, as well, Rusty. Sun Ra was a very unique individual. There are a number of such creators in Jazz, but Sun Ra stands aside as a remarkable being.
Thanks for sharing your Sun Ra story with us. That must have been a life altering experience. I first saw Sun Ra play at the Modern Theatre in Boston on Christmas Eve 1978. It changed my whole view of music to this day. Needless to say, that year was special for me, and you....
1978 was quite a year. I feel so lucky to be alive during that era, the 60s and the 70s.
Much appreciated insights Bret into the world of one of the most unique figures in the annals of American music.
Absolutely, and thank you for the generous compliments; they're brief but deeply valued. Receiving recognition from an esteemed NEA Jazz Master, for your decades of Jazz activism,
and your groundbreaking work as Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival is truly heartening.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/w1eb5JYL6ni1ueXc8
A man from Oman playing my Turkish 'oud while we are collecting signatures for a ceasefire in Gaza...at the Paseo Nuevo mall in Santa Barbara...as much as i would like to move to other places...there seems to be a need to educate or replace the legislators who seem firm in their willful ignorance...and then i do have a grandchild who will need re-educating too.
Also...my music teacher lives 15 minutes away...and though we have some 5yearold videos on YouTube...Makam Liberation Front...the 'band' is not gigging...but my teacher is in about 5 other bands...who do gig...every so often...Mexico sounds good...as does China...but yes..the struggle is here.
Great article about Sun Ra. I only saw him and the Arkestra perform once, in the mid-1980s in Northampton, MA. He performed a song with the refrain "HIStory, that's his story, MYstery, that's my story" that I've been searching for since but haven't found. It was very clever and one of the highlights of that Cosmic show.
Would you happen to know the song and which of his albums it may appear on? Thanks much! Mark
You stumped the band, Mark. I have no idea. But I'm so glad you had the opportunity to experience Sun Ra live!
He actually did a variation of this several times. Try this one: https://sunra-mh.bandcamp.com/album/ra-to-the-rescue --the first track: "Mystery, Mr. Ra" ---"some call me Mr. Ra. Some call me Mystery. You can call me Mr. Mystery" --I know this thread happened a long time ago, hope y'all see this!
Thanks Sam. You obviously know your Sun Ra.
Thanks for pondering my question! I will keep on listening. Happy New Year.
Blessings to you and your family in this pivotal new year!...
That's the key word here, pivotal.
All we got is hurt! All we got is hurt! Let it hurt!
Let it hurt!
Blissful thanks!
Blessings to your family and my best wishes for a healthy new year.
wonderful start to the year. thank you.
a healthy, happy Happy New Year to you!
Bret, you are such a beautiful writer! I enjoyed this article so much. What an amazing experience to have basked in the presence of Sun Ra! Happy New Year!
Thanks, Alexi. Happy new year to you as well.
Has anyone spoken of the film in which Sun Ra features? At one point he portrays a social worker behind a bank window, the image itself so hilarious that I had to leave the theatre for a while.
Space is the Place? https://youtu.be/7iAQCPmpSUI?si=tgkdLtCrqoZw1iOl
Yes, I have Sun Ra watching out for me.