Celebrating 100 years since Sun Ra arrived on Planet Earth, Band on the Wall hosts the Centennial Arkestra this month. The legendary jazz composer, bandleader, pianist, poet and philosopher departed in 1993 – but his Arkestra continues to perform, led by 90-year-old alto saxophonist and long-time Ra collaborator Marshall Allen. Renowned for their three-hour sets, featuring countless rolling grooves, sing-along chants and atonal blasts of mischievous brass, this rare visit by the Arkestra should prove to be an apt celebration of a true legend.

Sun 17 Aug, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, M4 5JZ, Tel: 0161 834 1786, 7pm, early bird £18, adv £20, bandonthewall.org

Sun 17 Aug
Words:
Chris Horkan
Published on:
Fri 1 Aug 2014