Sun Ra Arkestra is not your grandfather’s jazz. In fact, it could be argued that Sun Ra Arkestra is not planet Earth’s jazz. Sonic innovator, poet, and philosopher Sun Ra, born Herman Poole Blount, pioneered big-band orchestration with the cosmic use of electronics. He even claimed he was from Saturn, and for all we know, he was. Over the course of his 35-year career as Sun Ra, he and his Arkestra released nearly 70 recordings. Though he died at the age of 79 nearly 25 years ago, his long-running (and ever-evolving) 15-piece band carries the torch of his untouchable Avante-Garde space jazz.
Sun Ra Arkestra will perform at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at El Club; 4114 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-279-7382; elclubdetroit.com; Tickets are $30.
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