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Legendary Saxophonist Marshall Allen Unveils Debut Solo Album New Dawn at Age 100

by Madonna

Marshall Allen, the iconic saxophonist, composer, and leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra, is proving age is no barrier to creativity. At 100 years old, Allen is set to release his debut solo album, New Dawn, on February 14th. Along with the announcement, the title track and its accompanying video have been unveiled, which you can stream below.

With a career spanning more than 70 years of groundbreaking recordings and performances, New Dawn marks the first project to carry Allen’s name as the sole artist. The album is described as “a love letter to spacetime that channels a century of musical transience and transcendence,” featuring seven tracks that embody his unique musical journey.

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Remarkably, Allen began recording the album in Philadelphia just two days after celebrating his 100th birthday. The title track, “New Dawn,” is a nostalgic, soulful piece featuring Allen’s warm saxophone melodies, lyrics by Sun Ra Arkestra bandmate Knoel Scott, and vocals from Neneh Cherry.

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Allen and Scott collaborated closely throughout the project, carefully selecting material from unreleased tracks and archived recordings to craft the album’s final tracklist.

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“[Knoel Scott] knew Marshall better than anyone, and his deep understanding of Marshall’s compositions guided the selection of material for the album,” explained producer Jan Lankisch. The album is said to represent “a melding of the past and the future, of legacy and discovery,” capturing the essence of Allen’s storied career.

Since the 1950s, Sun Ra Arkestra has been at the forefront of Afrofuturism, blending avant-garde jazz with themes of cosmic exploration. Under Allen’s direction, the collective released their first new band project in 20 years in 2020, further cementing their legacy.

With New Dawn, Marshall Allen continues to inspire, showcasing his boundless passion for music and his remarkable ability to push creative boundaries, even at 100.

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