Lights On A Satellite / Sun Ra Arkestra

Description

Driven by the free spirit of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Lights On A Satellite lands in full swing, with an intense groove rooted at the heart of swing. This recording is a vibrant tribute to the lifelong work of Marshall Allen, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 25, 2024. Recorded on June 16, 2024 in the legendary Studio A at Power Station in New York, this album celebrates the virtuosity of this extraordinary musician: multi-instrumentalist, arranger, bandleader, educator, and guardian of Sun Ra’s precious legacy. A key figure in jazz, Marshall Allen possesses one of the genre’s most singular voices. His alto saxophone, with its unique expressiveness, has shaped the sound of the Sun Ra Arkestra since 1958. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, and named a 2025 NEA Jazz Master, he embodies like no other this music now recognized as American classical music. A participant in all the great eras of jazz, Marshall Allen continues to shine through the clarity of his tone and the depth of his playing. With his innovative use of Steiner’s Electronic Valve Instrument (E.V.I.), he has opened up a new sonic universe that propels his art decisively into the 21st century.