Marshall Allen

Marshall Allen is a legendary avant-garde jazz saxophonist and longtime musical director of the Sun Ra Arkestra, a cosmic jazz ensemble founded by the iconic Sun Ra. Born in 1924, Allen joined Sun Ra’s band in 1958, bringing his fiery alto saxophone skills and experimental spirit to the group’s otherworldly sound. After Sun Ra’s passing in 1993, Allen stepped up as bandleader, fiercely preserving the Arkestra’s legacy of free-form improvisation, Afro-futurist philosophy, and interstellar big-band chaos. Known for his wild solos and mastery of the electronic valve instrument (EVI), he’s kept the ensemble thriving well into his 90s, blending space-age theatrics with jazz tradition.

A true innovator, Allen’s recent work—including releases like *Swirling* (2020) and *Living Sky* (2022)—proves he’s still pushing boundaries. Whether onstage in his signature glittery robes or leading the Arkestra’s hypnotic grooves, Marshall Allen remains a cosmic jazz ambassador, ensuring Sun Ra’s “music of the future” stays alive and delightfully weird. Casual fans might not know his name, but his influence ripples through modern experimental music like a supernova.

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