Marshall Allen
Biography: Marshall Belford Allen is a native Kentuckian born in Louisville on May 25, 1924. He is most famously known for his avant-garde jazz and free jazz work with bandleader / keyboardist Sun Ra, with whom he recorded from the late 1950s until Ra's passing in 1993. Allen plays the alto saxophone, oboe, piccolo, flute, and EVI. Aside from Sun Ra's Arkestra, Allen recorded with Paul Bley's band in 1964 and Olatunji's group in the mid-1960s. Allen has been the Arkestra's bandleader since the deaths of Ra and John Gilmore.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: May 25, 1924
Deathday: N/A
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Known For
Sounds of the Desert
Sounds of the Desert
Overview: A visual odyssey of Sun Ra concepts through their followers - Marshall Allen and Abshalom Ben Shlomo. The film follows Sun Ra Arkestra band members and their journey across the desert, a promised land where Sun Ra once created his identity. Navigating through an astro-galactic world of sound, they find a reason to fight racism, injustice and vanity of the modern world - all through inner wisdom of music and sound. It's a story of infinite peace in a troubled world. An utopian planet where Sun Ra and his prophets celebrate the divine wealth of their spirits.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
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The Magic Sun
1966-01-01
The Magic Sun
Overview: Multi-faceted artist Phil Niblock captures a brief moment of an interstellar communication by the Arkestra in their prime. Black turns white in a so-called negative post-process, while Niblock's camera focuses on microscopic details of hands, bodies and instruments. A brilliant tribute to the Sun King by another brilliant supra-planetary sovereign. (Eye of Sound)
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-01-01
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Mystery Mister Ra
1984-07-04
Mystery Mister Ra
Overview: Sun Ra, Archie Shepp and company in concert in Paris, 1984. Documents performances and rehearsals in Paris, France, 1984. It includes the compositions "Love in Outer Space," "Nuclear War," and "1984" by Sun Ra and the standards "Tea for Two" and "Blue Lou," as well as interviews with Sun Ra and Archie Shepp.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1984-07-04
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Spaceways
1968-01-01
Spaceways
Overview: A music documentary made with Sun Ra.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-01-01
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Space Is the Place
1974-11-01
Space Is the Place
Overview: Sun Ra and his Solar Myth Arkestra return to Earth after several years in space. Ra proclaims himself "the alter-destiny", meets with inner-city youths and battles with the devil himself to save the black race.
Genres: Science Fiction Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-11-01
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Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
1980-10-01
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
Overview: Robert Mugge filmed jazz great Sun Ra on location in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. between 1978 and 1980. The resulting 60-minute film includes multiple public and private performances, poetry readings, a band rehearsal, interviews, and extensive improvisations. Transferred to HD from the original 16mm film and lovingly restored for the best possible viewing experience.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-10-01
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