Juilliard Jazz Orchestra | The Music of the Sun Ra Arkestra

The Juilliard Jazz Orchestra presents The Music of the Sun Ra Arkestra on January 22 at 7:30pm at Juilliard’s Peter Jay Sharp Theater, honoring the legendary Afrofuturist large ensemble that has stood at the forefront of avant-garde jazz for the last 70 years. Reflecting the commitment of Juilliard Jazz to train artists across the full continuum of the genre, Juilliard’s musicians will bring to life works that bridge the traditions and radical innovations of jazz. The performance will be conducted by Scott Robinson, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and NEA fellowship recipient who has performed with members of the Arkestra.

Formed in the mid-1950s, the Sun Ra Arkestra has produced a wide-ranging body of work that reflects its members’ mastery of traditional jazz styles and unyielding experimentation. Founded by the late composer, philosopher, poet, and Afrofuturism pioneer Sun Ra, the ensemble embraces electronic instruments and unconventional arrangements, honing a distinct sound that has carried them to stages across the world. The band’s constant evolution and multidisciplinary performances continue to inspire global audiences under the leadership of alto saxophonist Marshall Allen. Lights on a Satellite, an album of Sun Ra compositions recorded under Allen’s direction, is a 2026 Grammy nominee for best large jazz ensemble album.