Sun Ra Arkestra at the Academy of Music (Northampton, MA)

Signature Sounds + Northampton Jazz Festival Present:
Sun Ra Arkestra
at the Academy of Music
Sunday, May 18th at 8pm

Sun Ra founded the Sun Ra Arkestra in Chicago in the mid-1950’s. Sun Ra was among the earliest pioneers of the synthesizer and the free jazz revolution of 1960’s. Sun Ra sent a strong spiritual and musical message to his Arkestra wanting them to help make the universe better through positive vibrations and music.

The Sun Ra Arkestra are known worldwide for their live shows that combine big-band swing, space-age free jazz, be-bop, singing, dancing, chanting and Afro-pageantry. The Arkestra has been at the forefront of Afro-futurism since their inception.

The Arkestra have recorded more than 100 albums. Their 2020 album “”Swirling”” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Big Band Jazz Ensemble recording. Their newest album “Lights On A Satellite” was released in February 2025.

After more than 60 years the band continue to circle the globe on their Inter-Galactic tour. Recent highlights include shows at the Kennedy Center with Solange, The Berlin Opera House, the Burlington Jazz Festival and a New York City show at Radio City Music Hall.

Few bands have travelled this far – cosmically and musically.

“The possible has been tried and failed. Now it’s time to try the impossible.”

Sun Ra

You may also like the following events from Signature Sounds Presents:

• This August, 23rd August, 10:30 am, The 7th Annual Arcadia Folk Festival in Easthampton

Also check out other Music events in Northampton, Entertainment events in Northampton, Festivals in Northampton.