Sun Ra was born Herman Sonny Blount in Birmingham, Alabama, in the early 1900's. In 1953, he led a trio with Richard Evans and Robert Barry. John Gilmore and Charles Davis joined, and in 1954, Marshall Allen, Pat Patrick, Art Hoyle, Julian Priester and James Scale followed. It was the birth of the Sun Ra Arkestra, also known as the Mythscience or Solar Arkestra. He was one of the most avant-garde jazz musicians of his time, who played electronic music before jazz-fusion, played multiple instruments, and launched the careers of many younger musicians. He died in 1992.
More information