Spa...er...Vulcan is the Place: Sun Ra Tribute at Collective Perspectives...

by Todd on Feb 16, 2009 12:59 PM CST

UPDATE: I am, as the French might say, le dumb. If you visited their website, you probably noticed that I was a few days off. Collective Perspectives is on THURSDAY, not Tuesday, as my addled brain thought. Oopers. Still come, though.

...or, on this episode of shilling for THE MAN.

For the musically adventurous among us, ~~tomorrow~~ THURSDAY night Vulcan Park and Museum's "Collective Perspectives" will feature a tribute to Birmingham native Sun Ra:

Born in 1912, Sun Ra was a pianist, Afro-futurist philosopher, poet, performance artist and one of the most innovative band leaders in the history of jazz. Sun Ra started his musical journey as Herman Blount, training at the Industrial High School under the great Fess Whatley. As Sun Ra, he drew from many sources – the psychedelic movement, mysticism, bebop, and black liberation philosophies – yet Sun Ra is considered one of the most original musicians ever to perform. Funk musician George Clinton said of the legendary performer: "Yeah, Sun Ra is out to lunch – the same place I eat at."

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Listen to the music of Sun Ra come to life by the Birmingham Seven, a septet made up of the city’s most sought-after jazz musicians. Led by saxophonist Daniel Western, the Birmingham Seven will perform brand-new transcriptions of numbers featured on Sun Ra’s classic album Magic City and other recordings by the man from Saturn.

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Entertainment continues by the dynamic Birmingham Seven. Socialize with these talented musicians and enjoy traditional Afro-centric cuisine. Cash Bar.

Join us, won't you?

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sun ra was the man. i saw a few of his shows back in the late 1980s and he and his band The Arkestra were simply phenomenal to behold in person. they did a 40-minute version of “Heigh-Ho” (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) that included not one, not two but THREE conga-style marches by the band through the audience. this version of Pink Elephants on Parade gives a pretty good idea of what it sounded like but it was certainly was something that had to be seen to be believed.

by kleph on Feb 16, 2009 1:34 PM CST reply actions

I was fortunate enough to see the man himself....

….shortly before he died, and have since seen the Arkestra (and the offshoot Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe) a handful of times, and it’s always amazing.

Roll Bama Roll

by Todd on Feb 16, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

That's....

…my experience as well. Saw him once, have seen the Arkestra and have seen Michael Ray & Cosmic Krewe. Also saw Michael Ray and some others (I think Marshall Allen) come out and play with Phish in New Orleans at JazzFest one year.

…and oh yeah, I’m in for the thing at Vulcan tomorrow night.

RollBamaRoll.com

by Nico2.0 on Feb 16, 2009 2:49 PM CST up reply actions