D e c i s i v e I n s t a n t Playing the music of S u n R a

Tuesday April 22nd 7:30PM Marvin Laser Recital Hall $2

With N a t i v e P l a n t S o c i e t y Jonathon Grasse, guitar Breeze Smith, drums, percussion Alexander Vogel, saxophones Tony Green, bass (This set is spontaneously improvised)

Sun Ra compositions to be selected from the following (arranged by DI members Martinelli, Schwartz, and Sharp)

"Adventure Equation" "And Otherness" "Angel Race" "Love in Outer Space" "Watusa" "Moon Dance" "Tapestry from an Asteroid" "That's the Way I Feel" "Thither and Yon"

Decisive Instant Jeff Schwartz & Charles Sharp, directors reeds: David Adler, Steve Bowie, Ken Luey, Charles Sharp, & Alexander Vogel brass: Bruce Friedman, William Roper, Chris Schell, Ed Weiss, & Dave Williams guitars: Jonathon Grasse, Angelo Metz bass: Jeff Schwartz keyboards: Scott Dibble, Wesley Flowers drums: Alan Cook, Tom Steck percussion: David Martinelli, Jonathon Saxon, Jonathon Grasse

Sun Ra (1914 –1993) . . . a prolific jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his cosmic philosophy, musical compositions and performances. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

From the mid-1950s to his death, Sun Ra led The Arkestra (a deliberate re-spelling of "orchestra"), an ensemble with an ever-changing lineup and name. It was by turns called The Solar Myth Arkestra, His Cosmo Discipline Arkestra, the Blue Universe Arkestra, & The Jet Set Omniverse Arkestra

Sun Ra asserted that the ever-changing name of his ensemble reflected the ever-changing nature of his music. He was a prolific recording artist and frequent live performer whose music ranged from keyboard solos to big bands of over 30 musicians. He recorded many dozens of LPs.

His style touched on virtually the entire history of jazz, from ragtime to swing music, bebop to free jazz. He was also a pioneer of electronic music and space music. He also used free improvisation and was one of the early musicians to make extensive use of electronic keyboards.

Claiming that he was of the Angel Race, from Saturn - not from Earth, Sun Ra developed a complex persona using "cosmic" philosophies and lyrical poetry.

He preached awareness and peace above all.