Sun Ra

Claiming to be from Saturn, and combining the aesthetics of extraterrestrials and ancient Egyptians, Sun Ra was one of the most distinctive, visionary artists in jazz. A piano and synthesizer player, and a widely inventive band leader, Ra combined big-band Ellingtonia, free jazz, electronic soundscapes, and celestial themes into an idiosyncratic stew, bolstered by the intense loyalty of his band members (they stuck together from the 1950s until Ra's death in 1993, eschewing higher-paying gigs for the opportunity to play his music). Once dismissed for his surreal antics, Sun Ra has become acclaimed for his brilliant contributions to jazz. His huge discography is a singular monument to his indefatigable artistry.

• jazz
• avantgarde
• 1970s