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Sun Ra

Sun Ra

Born: 1914-05-22 • Birmingham, Alabama , U.S.

Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, legal name Le Sony'r Ra; May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993) was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his experimental music, "cosmic philosophy," prolific output, and theatrical performances. For much of his career, Ra led "The Arkestra", an ensemble with an ever-changing name and flexible line-up.

Filmography
The Magic City: Birmingham according to Sun Ra poster
The Magic City: Birmingham according to Sun Ra
2025 • Self
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible poster
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
2025 • Self (archive footage)
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music poster
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025 • Self (archive footage)
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight poster
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
Rebirth Is Necessary poster
Rebirth Is Necessary
2017 • Self (Archive Footage)
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore: Film, Stories & Images from the Mississippi Records and Alan Lomax Archive poster
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore: Film, Stories & Images from the Mississippi Records and Alan Lomax Archive
2013 • Himself
Jazz Evolution poster
Jazz Evolution
2008 • Self - Organ
No Image
Sun Ra: Brother From Another Planet
2005 • Self
Mystery Mister Ra poster
Mystery Mister Ra
1984 • Self
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise poster
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
1980 • Himself
Space Is the Place poster
Space Is the Place
1974 • Himself
Spaceways poster
Spaceways
1968 • Himself
The Magic Sun poster
The Magic Sun
1966
No Image
John Cage Meets Sun Ra
— • Himself
No Image
Sun Ra Arkestra: Live in West Berlin 1983
— • Self