The Sun Ra Arkestra, under the longtime leadership of founding saxophonist Marshall Allen, is as vital and cheekily unpredictable as ever. Blending jazz and blues with electronic and extraterrestrial influences, these true pioneers of Afrofuturism carry on the inimitable vision and spirit of their enigmatic founder—composer, pianist, bandleader, poet, and cosmic philosopher Sun Ra. 

Nominated for a Grammy for the very first time in the band’s history for their album ‘Swirling’ on Strut in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category. Recorded in Spring 2019 pre-pandemic and released in October 2020, the album was recorded at Rittenhouse Soundworks in Philadelphia and was the Arkestra’s first new studio recording to emerge in over 20 years, capturing them at the peak of their powers.