Presentation: A Sun Ra Celebration with David Boyce

Musician and music educator David Boyce will give a lecture overview, with audio-visual samples, on Sun Ra’s contribution to modern creative music, focusing on his pioneering use of synthesizers, extended large ensemble techniques and his DIY aesthetic. 

After a short break, at 3:30pm we will watch the documentary Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise (1980, 60 min., with Closed Captions). Sun Ra explains his mystical philosophy and the nature of the cosmos, intercut with thrilling performances of his band, the Arkestra. 

Visit our adult reading area, where for the month of February you will find a special display of Sun Ra books and recordings you can borrow with your library card. 

Sun Ra (1914-1993) was a visionary American composer, bandleader, keyboard player, and poet, known for music that spanned the entire history of jazz and beyond, often in a big band setting with theatrical performances. Claiming origin from the planet Saturn, he is a major figure of Afrofuturism. His legacy continues today with over 100 albums and the ongoing work of the Sun Ra Arkestra led by his bandmate Marshall Allen, who is releasing his first solo album "New Dawn" (2024) at the spry age of 100! San Francisco's Kronos Quartet also recently released a Sun Ra tribute album featuring a who's who of guests.

Boohabian multi-reed player David Boyce teaches music at the Urban School of SF, plays in the duo Six Roses, the group The Supplicants, and also has a history as a member of the celebrated jazz/hip-hop group The Broun Fellinis. He presently curates and hosts an outstanding live performance series Friday nights at the Medicine for Nightmares bookstore in the SF Mission district.