Sun Ra
Le Sony'r Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, May 22, 1914 - May 30, 1993), better known as Sun Ra, was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano, synthesizer player, and poet. He was known for his experimental music. For much of his career, Ra led "The Arkestra", an ensemble with an ever-changing name and flexible line-up.
From the mid-1950s until his death, Ra led the musical band known as The Arkestra. Its performances often included dancers and musicians dressed in futuristic costumes inspired by Ancient Egyptian.
Ra died of a stroke caused from heart and respiratory failure at a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama on May 30, 1993 at the age of 79.
References
1914 births
1993 deaths
Deaths from heart failure
Deaths from respiratory failure
Deaths from stroke
American jazz musicians
American composers
American bandleaders
American pianists
American poets
People from Bessemer, Alabama
Musicians from Birmingham, Alabama
Writers from Birmingham, Alabama