Danny Ray Thompson (October 1, 1947 – March 12, 2020) was an American jazz musician.[3] He played baritone saxophone with the Sun Ra Arkestra and managed the band for a period of time.[4]
Danny Ray Thompson | |
|---|---|
 Thompson (right), in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | October 1, 1947 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 12, 2020 (aged 72) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Genres | Avant-garde jazz, free jazz, experimental |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Baritone saxophone,[1] bassoon[2] |
Early life
editThompson was born in New York City, to Elgie and Oscar Leonard Thompson.[3] Soon his family moved to Los Angeles, California but after high school Thompson returned to New York City and attended night classes at Juilliard School.[3]
Career
editThompson's first concert was with Babatunde Olatunji and after meeting Marshall Allen, Thompson was introduced to Sun Ra.[3] The first Arkestra album Thompson appeared on was 1967's Atlantis.[4] He made his first live appearance with the Arkestra in April, 1968 at Carnegie Hall.[3]
Thompson, along with fellow Arkestra members Marshall Allen and Charles Davis, was present for a 100th birthday celebration for Sun Ra at the Berklee College of Music in 2014.[5]
References
edit- ^ Pinnock, Tom (March 1, 2019). "Sun Ra: "There's a lot of strange stuff that goes on around the pyramids – why don't you bring a tape?"". Uncut. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ Helfet, Gabriela (September 24, 2019). "Sun Ra's 1986 Poland concert recording released for the first time". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Russonello, Giovanni (March 20, 2020). "Danny Ray Thompson, 72, Dies; Mainstay of Sun Ra's Otherworldly Band". The New York Times. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Bloom, Madison (March 20, 2020). "Sun Ra Arkestra's Danny Ray Thompson Dead at 72". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ Shanahan, Mark (February 23, 2014). "Sun Ra has a 100th birthday celebration". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 21, 2020.