Sun Ra Arkestra Leader Marshall Allen to Launch Debut Solo Album at 100 Years Old

Marshall Allen, the former leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra, has revealed plans to release his debut solo album.

About “New Dawn”

A celebrated saxophonist and composer with a career spanning over a century, Allen has been part of the iconic Sun Ra Arkestra since 1958, leading the ensemble since 1995. His solo debut album, titled “New Dawn,” is set to launch on February 14th through Mexican Summer/Week-End Records. You can pre-order it here.

Album Insights

In conjunction with this announcement, Allen shared the title track of the album, featuring the talented Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry. “Shining with the rays of the sun / Made with confidence / Pure from one / Rise and seek / Hear the spirit speak / A new dawn awaits you,” Cherry serenades over Allen’s gentle and smooth saxophone melodies.

As per a press release, the creation of A New Dawn commenced merely two days after Allen’s 100th birthday. The album is described as “a love letter to spacetime that channels a century of musical transience and transcendence into seven tracks of outer dimensions.”

Despite an impressive career that stretches over 70 years, “New Dawn” represents the first occasion on which this legendary jazz musician has issued a project under his own name.

The record was captured in Philadelphia during May 2024 and represents a collaboration with Allen’s Arkestra colleague Noel Scott. Regarding their partnership, album producer Jan Lankisch remarked: “Knoel’s energy was the driving force behind the project. He understood Marshall better than anyone else, and his deep knowledge of Marshall’s compositions significantly influenced the selection of material for the album.”

Tracklist for “New Dawn”

1. “Prologue”
2. “African Sunset”
3. “New Dawn (feat. Neneh Cherry)”
4. “Are you ready?”
5. “Sonny’s Dance”
6. “Boma”
7. “Angels and Demons Play”

The album also showcases contributions from musicians such as Michael Ray and Cecil Brooks (trumpet), Jamaaladeen Takuma (bass), Bruce Edwards (guitar), and George Gray (drums).

In related news, in 2022, the Sun Ra House, the Philadelphia location that nurtured the late Sun Ra’s flourishing Arkestra since the 1960s, was officially designated as a Philadelphia Historic Landmark.