Danny Ray Thompson is a veteran multi-instrumentalist who has toured with Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji and has been a regular member of the Sun Ra Arkestra for over 50 years. The Arkestra still tours internationally today, but they have made a home here in Germantown, and they have recorded their most recent album here at Rittenhouse Soundworks. Today, Danny Ray discusses the state of the Arkestra in the twenty-first century, including their experiences performing with Solange and U2, as well as some of the most extraordinary events he has witnessed in his decades of travelling the world with Sun Ra and his beloved band. Ghosts, mummies, and myths abound.
Featured Music:
Babatunde Olatunji. “Akiwowo (Chant to the Trainman).”
Drums of Passion, Columbia, 1960.
Sun Ra Arkestra. “The Mystery of Two.”
Cosmos, Cobra, 1977.
Sun Ra & His Arkestra. “Astro Black.”
Astro Black, Impulse, 1972.
Sun Ra. “Space Is the Place.”
Space Is the Place, Blue Thumb Records, 1973.
Sun Ra Arkestra. “Beautiful Love.”
Hours After, Black Saint, 1989.
Sun Ra Arkestra. “Along Came Ra.”
Paris 1983, Enterplanetary Koncepts, 2015.
Sun Ra & His Astro-Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra.
“I’m Gonna Unmask the Batman.”
Single, El Saturn Records, 1974.
Sun Ra Arkestra. “Lanquidity.”
Lanquidity, Philly Jazz, 1978.
Photo by Dave Kaufman
Recorded July 2018
credits
released August 1, 2019
Hosted by Thomas Hagen and Jim Hamilton
Produced by Jim Hamilton, Tyler Ripley and Thomas Hagen
