Sun 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.
Gallery
Known For
Saturday Night Live
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
Jazz Evolution
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
Sun Ra: Brother From Another Planet
Rebirth Is Necessary
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
The Magic Sun
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore: Film, Stories & Images from the Mississippi Records and Alan Lomax Archive
Space Is the Place
Acting History
2025
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible as Self (archive footage)
2023Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2017Rebirth Is Necessary as Self (Archive Footage)
2013I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore: Film, Stories & Images from the Mississippi Records and Alan Lomax Archive as Himself
2008Jazz Evolution as Self - Organ
2005Sun Ra: Brother From Another Planet as Self
1984Mystery Mister Ra as Self
1980Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise as Himself
1975Saturday Night Live as Self - Musical Guest
1974Space Is the Place as Himself
1968Spaceways as Himself
1966The Magic Sun
—Sun Ra Arkestra: Live in West Berlin 1983 as Self
—John Cage Meets Sun Ra as Himself