Ars Nova Workshop presents a special night celebrating Marshall Allen's 85th birthday with The Sun Ra Arkestra Sun, May 24th at 9:00 PM

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Ars Nova Workshop presents a special night celebrating Marshall Allen's 85th birthday with The Sun Ra Arkestra

Sun, May 24th at 9:00 PM
$10 general admission - door sales at 8pm

In celebration of Maestro Marshall Allen's 85th [which is actually May 25th], and the 95th anniversary of Sun Ra's arrival on Earth [actually May 22nd] at Johnny Brenda's, 12O1 N. Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, 215-739-9684.

Ars Nova Workshop presents a very special performance of the Sun Ra Arkestra in celebration of the 85th birthday of Marshall Allen. Join us for complimentary Moon Pies, a special midnight toast and DJ hi-res spinning classic jazz and breaks. Archival films featuring the Arkestra and Sun Ra will be projected on two large screens throughout the evening. You don't want to miss this!

As a young musician, Marshall Belford Allen (b. May 25, 1924) performed with pianist Art Simmons, Don Byas and James Moody before enrolling in the Paris Conservatory of Music. After relocating to Chicago, Allen became a pupil of Sun Ra, subsequently joining the Arkestra in 1958 and leading Sun Ra's formidable reed section for the next 40 years. Marshall, along with John Gilmore, June Tyson and James Jacson, lived, rehearsed, toured and recorded with Sun Ra almost exclusively for much of Sun Ra's musical career. As a member of the Arkestra, Allen pioneered the Free Jazz movement of the early sixties, having remarkable influence on the leading voices in the avant-garde. He is featured on over 200 Sun Ra recordings in addition to collaborations with Phish, Sonic Youth, Digable Planets and Medeski, Martin & Wood. Marshall assumed the position of maestro in 1995, following the ascension of Sun Ra in 1993 and John Gilmore in 1995. Marshall continues to be committed to the study, research and development of Sun Ra's musical precepts and has launched the Sun Ra Arkestra into a dimension beyond that of mere "ghost" band by writing fresh arrangements of Sun Ra's music, as well as composing new music and arrangement for the Arkestra. He works inceasingly to keep the big-band tradition alive.