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Course Description

Summary

SUN RA...SPACE IS THE PLACE takes a look at the life of Herman Poole Blount, founder and creator of the Sun Ra Arkestra, considered a prolific composer of jazz and a pioneer of electronic music, Herman Blount aka Le Sony’r Ra or Sun Ra, was quite controversial for his electronic music and unorthodox lifestyle. He claimed that he was of the "Angel Race" and not from Earth, but from Saturn after experiencing an alien abduction. Sun Ra's music touched on the entire history of jazz, from ragtime to swing, bebop to free jazz, electronic music and space music. This course will examine Sun Ra’s musical timeline with a greater focus on lyrics and poetry, his early beginnings and influences, as well as watching films for its poetic content.  The book Space Is The Place, The Lives And Times Of Sun Ra written by John F. Szwed and SUN RA  Interviews and Essays Ed. by John Sinclair will be required reading.