Bhob Stewart writes:
Beyond the interplanetary theatricality, catchphrases, non sequiturs, science fictional costumes and kozmic chaos, Sun Ra (1914-1993) was an innovative bandleader, a potent pianist, an electronic keyboard pioneer, a visionary Afrofuturist poet-philosopher, an inventive composer and a prolific recording artist, releasing more than 100 albums totaling over 1000 tunes. Downbeat called him "the prophet of modern jazz." When the avant-garde arrived, they found that Sun Ra had already been there. "I'm a troubleshooter for the cosmos," said Sun Ra, "sent here by the outer space beings from my home planet, Saturn."