TeledyN

These six concerts reveal the sparks that fly when structure and improvisation come into contact. In five jazz shows and one performance by the world’s most daring string quartet, risk is a prerequisite, and inspiration is the only guarantee.

Saturday, September 26, 2009 | 7:00 pm

The jazz visionary and prognosticator of future times turned the mixed-up lore of space and the Bible into a liberated sound the world had never seen: a universe of cow bells, Chinese gongs, burning sax figures, and the piano lines he’d learned in church. Led by Marshall Allen, Ra’s massive, always-evolving Arkestra –that’s ark, not orchestra— turns the master's charts into a carnival of otherworldly art: 15 tone scientists in robes, driving home a swing born in the cosmos.

They split this massive double bill with the Mingus Big Band, a 14 piece juggernaut Time Out NY calls "the hippest big band in the universe -- robust, earthy, sanctified." Mingus was a bass natural and avant garde experimenter who thought of his work as the blues. His swinging, raw compositions touch up to the sacred edge of modern art. They’re resurrected by the Mingus Big Band, who intensify, with unpredictable force, everything that makes their namesake’s music great -- "the muscle, the affection for history, the guts and soulfulness" (NY Times).

This once-in-a-lifetime double bill has epic sweep: a full set from the Mingus Big Band starts at 7 pm, followed by a break with beer and wine available. After that, the Arkestra plays a full set. And after that, you will have seen the strange and spinning energies at the core of jazz.

Additional Events:
Coversation featuring Marshall Allen and Art Jenkins of the Sun Ra Arkestra
with Fred Moten, Duke University's Deptartment of English
Friday, September 25, 2 pm
John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute, Room 240
 
This fall, the Durham Art Guild partners with Duke’s John Hope Franklin Center to present Pathways to Unknown Worlds: Sun Ra, El Saturn, and Chicago’s Afro-Futurist Underground 1954-68. This exhibit runs from August 21 through October 18 at 120 Morris Street, Durham. Public opening event Friday, August 21, 5 - 7 pm.  www.durhamartguild.org

"We are proud to announce that with the support of NCCentral University's WNCU, 90.7 FM, we will broadcast the Sun Ra Arkestra + Mingus Big Band concert live on 90.7 FM and online via WNCU's website http://www.wncu.org/ . Don't miss this incredible event."