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Satellites Series: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra
Oct 30, 2017
Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra
In the fall of 2014, Philadelphia Jazz Project developed a special mixtape project honoring the immeasurable imaginative genius of the late Philadelphia, visionary musician, philosopher, composer and band leader, Sun Ra [1914 to 1993]. This unique challenge provided an exciting opportunity for DJs, producers, musicians, singers, poets, rappers and others to spread their wings.
When the smoke cleared, seven mixtapes were created containing over 50 compositions featuring over 100 different artists. The music included magical moments of avant-grade Jazz, Sun Ra classics, Poetry, Funk, Hiphop, Rock and more. Continuing this exploration of the influence of Sun Ra, Philadelphia Jazz Project in collaboration WRTI radio host, J. Michael Harrison present, Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra: A concert series. Featuring 8 performances at some of the region's most important venues.
To check out mixtape series: Click Here
The series will present a diverse, aggregation of regional Jazz, Rock, R&B, Experimental, Hiphop, EDM artists and poets. It will also feature special guest, performance artists, a percolating videoscape by video master: Gralin Hughes, as well as a broad range of musical selections from the catalogs of Sun Ra and former, Sun Ra Arkestra members, as well as otherworldly tunes by such diverse artists as Parliament/Funkadelic, Outkast, Benny Golson, Talking Heads, Earth, Wind & Fire, Albert King, Nona Hendryx, David Bowie, Return To Forever, John Coltrane & many more.
The Satellites Are Spinning series kicks off with Satellites Concert #1 at the Barnes Foundation on Friday, December 1st, 2017, with an intriguing performance presenting the Intersection band featuring Sun Ra Arkestra member, Terry Lawson, Kim Pedro Rodriguez, Mitch Beer, Dan Kaplowitz, Malik Henry, Adam Faulk, Dan Blacksberg and Matthew Stewart with special guests, including Alexa Gold, Kevin Valentine, Raphael Xavier and more.
For Satellites Concert #1 Tickets: Click Here
Series Schedule:
Satellites #1
Friday, December 1 - Barnes Foundation / CLICK FOR INFO
Satellites #2
Wednesday, December 20 - Ardmore Music Hall
Satellites #3
Wednesday, January 17 - Ardmore Music Hall
Satellites #4
Wednesday, February 21 - Johnny Brenda’s
Satellites #5
Wednesday, March 28 - Johnny Brenda’s
Satellites #6
Wednesday, April 18 - Planetarium/Franklin Institute
Satellites #7
Wednesday, May 30 - World Cafe Live
Satellites #8
Wednesday, June 20 - World Cafe Live
Participating Artists Include:
▪ Eye2Eye Trio
▪ Larry Price
▪ Twizzmattic
▪ Raphael Xavier
▪ Tara Middleton aka Jupiter Blue of the Sun Ra Arkesta
▪ DMHotep of the Sun Ra Arkesta
▪ Kevin Valentine
▪ Owen Brown & Urban Classique
▪ Alexa Gold
▪ Charles Ellerbe
▪ V. Shayne Frederick
▪ Taji Nahl
▪ Dan Blacksberg
▪ Kim Pedro Rodriguez
▪ Bert Harris
▪ Saudah Al Akbar
▪ Terry Lawson
▪ Elliott Levin
▪ Alonzo Jennings
▪ Bethlehem
▪ Madd MattSwayzie
▪ Space Whale Orchestra
▪ Kevin Diehl
▪ Matt Stewart
▪ and many more
Check out performances by Kevin Valentine, Raphael Xavier & Alexa Gold.
Stay tuned for details about this series!!!
Special Thanks: The Sun Ra Estate, Irwin Chusid, Michael Anderson, J. Michael Harrison, Kim Pedro Rodriguez, DMHotep, Antoine Haywood, Gralin Hughes, James Solomon, Nija Walker, Bobby Zankel, Jay Levin, Agent Zero, Eric Bogacz, Alex Santilli, Gary Dann, Anthony Tidd, Dmani Lopez, Dan Blacksberg, V. Shayne Frederick, Asha Jackson, Julia Lopez, Melissa Talley Palmer, Gail Fountaine, Stephanie Seiple and Rich Nichols.
For more information about Sun Ra:
▪ Sun Ra Estate Website
▪ Sun Ra Arkestra Website
▪ Sun Ra Facebook
▪ Mission Creep Sun Ra Resources
▪ Pitchfork's Essential Sun Ra Music
▪ The Sun Ra Music Archive
▪ Perfect Sound Forever Sun Ra Article
▪ University of Chicago Sun Ra Exhibit
Stay tuned for details about this series!!!
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Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Philadelphia Foundation and The Wyncote Foundation.
