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As the joke goes, symphony orchestras are mostly 19th-century cover bands. In jazz, the big bands provide that link to the past, with “ghost bands” surviving the disappearance of their leaders for many decades—yes, it is still possible to see a version of the Glenn Miller Orchestra live in 2025! However, if the Sun Ra Arkestra fits that description, it is indeed quite an unusual “ghost band.”
This writer vividly recalls the sight of a dozen or so gentlemen (some quite elderly) dressed in colourful, shimmering robes, playing old swing charts and free-form freak-outs. From Morton Street in Philadelphia (Arkestra headquarters since 1968), the group is still touring around the world, even if its leader, 100-year-old saxophonist Marshall Allen, stopped going abroad in 2021. Recorded last June and released in November, Lights on a Satellite covers 100 years of jazz history, from a 1922 standard (the closer Way Down Yonder in New Orleans) to a newly discovered Sun Ra composition.
Since original bandleader and space guru Sun Ra’s departure from Earth in 1993, the Arkestra has maintained his legacy. An Arkestra member since 1957 (!), Allen took over the leadership of the band after the death of his section-mate John Gilmore in 1995; he now begins his 30th year at the helm of the Arkestra.
Lights on a Satellite, released on the German In+Out imprint, features a rather large version of Arkestra, with 23 members credited. Vocalist Tara Middleton (who also plays violin) sings the famous space songs like Tapestry from an Asteroid in the same spirit as the late June Tyson, who was for many years the voice of the Arkestra. This version of the group also has a small string section plus harpist Nina Bogomas, giving the title track and the introduction to Holiday with Strings an ethereal, space-age pop era quality.
Under Allen’s leadership, Arkestra albums have a tendency of looking backwards rather than to the future, and the newest is no exception. All of its material is drawn from the old Sun Ra book, with even a recently discovered Sun Ra song from 1955, Baby Won’t You Please Be Mine, making its debut. Seeing an Arkestra concert is a lot of fun, and the album reflects the joyous experience with swingers like Dorothy’s Dance, the funky Joy Delight or the Fletcher & Horace Henderson score from the early swing era, Big John’s Special. Those listeners looking for the more far-out, avant-garde edge of the Sun Ra repertoire are advised to skip directly to the 13-minute version of Friendly Galaxy.
Marshall Allen
Marshall Steps Out
While a new Arkestra album is always an event, Feb. 14 will also see the release of Marshall Allen’s first “official” solo album—at 100 years old! As of this writing, only two singles have been released from this debut, titled New Dawn. First, the lushly arranged African Sunset, with Allen adding otherworldly electronic saxophone (EWI) sounds over the melody and the rich string background. The second single is the title track, sung by none other than Neneh Cherry! Joining Allen are a few Arkestra alumni, namely saxophonist Knoel Scott, trumpeter Cecil Brooks and guitarist Bruce Edwards, while bass legend Jamaaladeen Tacuma is also on board for a few tracks.
Lights on a Satellite Sun Ra Arkestra, under the direction of Marshall Allen In+Out Records LP (IOR LP77158-1) & CD (IOR CD77158-2)
New Dawn Marshall Allen, alto saxophone, EWI, kora; Knoel Scott, baritone saxophone, congas, drums; Cecil Brooks, trumpet; Bruce Edwards, guitar; Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Richard Hill, Timothy Ragsdale, bass; George Gray, drums; Jan Lankisch, percussion; strings. Week-End Records LP (WE13) & CD (WE13CD)
ARCHIVE OF THE MONTH
Vol. 7: The Lost Tapes, 1959 Terry Gibbs Dream Band Terry Gibbs (vibraphone); collective personnel: Al Porcino, Ray Trisacri, Stu Williamson, Conte Candoli, John Audino, Lee Katzman, trumpet; Vern Friley, Bob Enevoldsen, Carl Fontana, Joe Cadena, Bill Smiley, Bob Burgess, trombone; Joe Maini, Charlie Kennedy, Med Flory, Bill Holman, Bill Perkins, Jack Schwartz, saxophone; Lou Levy, Pete Jolly, Benny Aronov, piano; Max Bennett, Buddy Clark, bass; Mel Lewis, drums Whaling City Sound WCS143 (CD)
Having two centenarian jazz musicians release albums within a few months of each other is certainly out of the ordinary, and while vibist Terry Gibbs is no longer playing professionally, he is still very much active—notably online, where he regularly does live videos to talk about his career and experiences. In the late-1950s and early ’60s, Gibbs led one of the most remarkable big bands on the scene—active mostly on the West Coast. Many of his band’s recordings were compiled on six volumes released on the Contemporary label. Now comes a surprise seventh volume, from a newly discovered tape. The 18 tracks here were arranged by the cream of California arrangers at the time, including Bill Holman, Marty Paich and Bob Brookmeyer. Gibbs is featured often, but the secret of his band lies in the ensembles, as he says himself: “It was never about solos, but that sound of everyone playing together, rising and falling as one.” This excellent recording certainly captures that, and in vivid sound for tape that’s over six decades old!
Find the album on the Whaling City Sound website here.
As the joke goes, symphony orchestras are mostly 19th-century cover bands. In jazz, the big bands provide that link to the past, with “ghost bands” surviving the disappearance of their leaders for many decades—yes, it is still possible to see a version of the Glenn Miller Orchestra live in 2025! However, if the Sun Ra Arkestra fits that description, it is indeed quite an unusual “ghost band.”
This writer vividly recalls the sight of a dozen or so gentlemen (some quite elderly) dressed in colourful, shimmering robes, playing old swing charts and free-form freak-outs. From Morton Street in Philadelphia (Arkestra headquarters since 1968), the group is still touring around the world, even if its leader, 100-year-old saxophonist Marshall Allen, stopped going abroad in 2021. Recorded last June and released in November, Lights on a Satellite covers 100 years of jazz history, from a 1922 standard (the closer Way Down Yonder in New Orleans) to a newly discovered Sun Ra composition.
Since original bandleader and space guru Sun Ra’s departure from Earth in 1993, the Arkestra has maintained his legacy. An Arkestra member since 1957 (!), Allen took over the leadership of the band after the death of his section-mate John Gilmore in 1995; he now begins his 30th year at the helm of the Arkestra.
Lights on a Satellite, released on the German In+Out imprint, features a rather large version of Arkestra, with 23 members credited. Vocalist Tara Middleton (who also plays violin) sings the famous space songs like Tapestry from an Asteroid in the same spirit as the late June Tyson, who was for many years the voice of the Arkestra. This version of the group also has a small string section plus harpist Nina Bogomas, giving the title track and the introduction to Holiday with Strings an ethereal, space-age pop era quality.
Under Allen’s leadership, Arkestra albums have a tendency of looking backwards rather than to the future, and the newest is no exception. All of its material is drawn from the old Sun Ra book, with even a recently discovered Sun Ra song from 1955, Baby Won’t You Please Be Mine, making its debut. Seeing an Arkestra concert is a lot of fun, and the album reflects the joyous experience with swingers like Dorothy’s Dance, the funky Joy Delight or the Fletcher & Horace Henderson score from the early swing era, Big John’s Special. Those listeners looking for the more far-out, avant-garde edge of the Sun Ra repertoire are advised to skip directly to the 13-minute version of Friendly Galaxy.
Marshall Allen
Marshall Steps Out
While a new Arkestra album is always an event, Feb. 14 will also see the release of Marshall Allen’s first “official” solo album—at 100 years old! As of this writing, only two singles have been released from this debut, titled New Dawn. First, the lushly arranged African Sunset, with Allen adding otherworldly electronic saxophone (EWI) sounds over the melody and the rich string background. The second single is the title track, sung by none other than Neneh Cherry! Joining Allen are a few Arkestra alumni, namely saxophonist Knoel Scott, trumpeter Cecil Brooks and guitarist Bruce Edwards, while bass legend Jamaaladeen Tacuma is also on board for a few tracks.
Lights on a Satellite Sun Ra Arkestra, under the direction of Marshall Allen In+Out Records LP (IOR LP77158-1) & CD (IOR CD77158-2)
New Dawn Marshall Allen, alto saxophone, EWI, kora; Knoel Scott, baritone saxophone, congas, drums; Cecil Brooks, trumpet; Bruce Edwards, guitar; Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Richard Hill, Timothy Ragsdale, bass; George Gray, drums; Jan Lankisch, percussion; strings. Week-End Records LP (WE13) & CD (WE13CD)
ARCHIVE OF THE MONTH
Vol. 7: The Lost Tapes, 1959 Terry Gibbs Dream Band Terry Gibbs (vibraphone); collective personnel: Al Porcino, Ray Trisacri, Stu Williamson, Conte Candoli, John Audino, Lee Katzman, trumpet; Vern Friley, Bob Enevoldsen, Carl Fontana, Joe Cadena, Bill Smiley, Bob Burgess, trombone; Joe Maini, Charlie Kennedy, Med Flory, Bill Holman, Bill Perkins, Jack Schwartz, saxophone; Lou Levy, Pete Jolly, Benny Aronov, piano; Max Bennett, Buddy Clark, bass; Mel Lewis, drums Whaling City Sound WCS143 (CD)
Having two centenarian jazz musicians release albums within a few months of each other is certainly out of the ordinary, and while vibist Terry Gibbs is no longer playing professionally, he is still very much active—notably online, where he regularly does live videos to talk about his career and experiences. In the late-1950s and early ’60s, Gibbs led one of the most remarkable big bands on the scene—active mostly on the West Coast. Many of his band’s recordings were compiled on six volumes released on the Contemporary label. Now comes a surprise seventh volume, from a newly discovered tape. The 18 tracks here were arranged by the cream of California arrangers at the time, including Bill Holman, Marty Paich and Bob Brookmeyer. Gibbs is featured often, but the secret of his band lies in the ensembles, as he says himself: “It was never about solos, but that sound of everyone playing together, rising and falling as one.” This excellent recording certainly captures that, and in vivid sound for tape that’s over six decades old!
Find the album on the Whaling City Sound website here.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
Francais (French)
