Sun Ra
Date of birth: 1914-05-22
Place of birth: Birmingham, Alabama , U.S.
Known for: Acting
Also known as: Herman Poole Blount, Le Sony'r Ra
Biography
Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, legal name Le Sony'r Ra; May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993) was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his experimental music, "cosmic philosophy," prolific output, and theatrical performances. For much of his career, Ra led "The Arkestra", an ensemble with an ever-changing name and flexible line-up.
Movie Credits
Rebirth Is Necessary
2017-09-20
Director Jenn Nkiru authors a personal and powerful exploration of blackness through piecing togethe
Space Is the Place
1974-11-01
Sun Ra and his Solar Myth Arkestra return to Earth after several years in space. Ra proclaims himsel
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
1980-10-01
Robert Mugge filmed jazz great Sun Ra on location in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. b
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore: Film, Stories & Images from the Mississippi Records and Alan Lomax Archive
2013-07-20
A film, music and aural presentation by Eric Isaacson of Mississippi Records, Portland, USA. Featuri
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023-11-11
"Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight" covers renowned American artist Betye Saar’s large-scale work
The Magic Sun
1966-01-01
Multi-faceted artist Phil Niblock captures a brief moment of an interstellar communication by the Ar
John Cage Meets Sun Ra
The never-before-seen in its entirety, visual documentation proving this avant-garde collaboration o
Spaceways
1968-01-01
A music documentary made with Sun Ra.
Mystery Mister Ra
1984-07-04
Sun Ra, Archie Shepp and company in concert in Paris, 1984. Documents performances and rehearsals in
Sun Ra: Brother From Another Planet
2005-01-01
Sun Ra was born on the planet Saturn some time ago. The best accounts agree that he emerged on Earth
Jazz Evolution
2008-08-12
Sun Ra Arkestra: Live in West Berlin 1983
This video captures innovative jazz composer, bandleader and pianist/synthesizer player Sun Ra's two
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
2025-06-10
A biographical, musical, illuminating journey into the work and vision of Sun Ra, exploring his jazz
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025-01-27
Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos
The Magic City: Birmingham according to Sun Ra
2025-10-15
Between segregation and cosmic revelation, The Magic City traces the birth of Sun Ra, where a city b