The Sun Ra Arkestra’s latest album, “Lights On A Satellite,” pays tribute to saxophonist Marshall Allen, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 25, 2024. Recorded at New York’s Power Station on June 16, 2024, this project showcases Allen’s exceptional contributions as a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, bandleader, teacher, and guardian of Sun Ra’s legacy.
Allen, a defining voice in jazz since joining the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1958, hails from Louisville, Kentucky, and is recognized as an NEA Jazz Master (2025). His alto saxophone and Steiner Electronic Valve Instrument (E.V.I.) create a unique sound that propels him into contemporary music.
Leading the Arkestra for over 30 years, Allen continues to breathe life into the band, founded by Sun Ra in the early 1950s. “Lights On A Satellite” features music from a century of jazz, including the world premiere of Sun Ra’s composition “Baby Won’t You Please Be Mine.”
Allen has ensured the Arkestra evolves beyond a static repertoire, mentoring young musicians and integrating new compositions. Though he hasn’t toured internationally since 2021, he remains active at the “Arkestral Institute of Sun Ra” in Philadelphia.
The album highlights the Arkestra’s expansive sound, showcasing Allen’s virtuosity and the collective’s generational interplay. It features pieces like Horace Henderson’s “Big John’s Special” and the classic “Holiday for Strings,” reimagined through the band’s unique lens.
“Lights On A Satellite” captures Allen’s mastery, particularly in tracks like “Tapestry From An Asteroid,” which spotlights Noel Scott’s baritone saxophone and Allen’s soaring alto. The album, produced with a full orchestra of 24 musicians, emphasizes the rich, vibrant sound of the ensemble.
Frank Kleinschmidt from IN+OUT Records produced this project, drawing on his 40-year relationship with the Arkestra. The release includes sound and film documents, alongside liner notes and photographs by Allen biographer Sibylle Zerr, capturing the spirit of the memorable studio session.
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