Northampton Jazz Fest &
Signature Sounds Present:
Sun Ra Arkestra
New in 2025, the Northampton Jazz Festival is partnering with Pioneer Valley venues to sponsor live jazz performances throughout the year.
Sun Ra Arkestra
Date: Sunday, May 18th
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Academy of Music, Northampton, MA
Tickets: $44.99 /$34.99
“The possible has been tried and failed. Now it’s time to try the impossible.”
About Sun Ra
Sun Ra founded the Sun Ra Arkestra in Chicago in the mid-1950's. Sun Ra was among the earliest pioneers of the synthesizer and the free jazz revolution of 1960’s.
Sun Ra sent a strong spiritual and musical message to his Arkestra wanting them to help make the universe better through positive vibrations and music.
Sun Ra Arkestra
The Sun Ra Arkestra are known worldwide for their live shows that combine big-band swing, space-age free jazz, be-bop, singing, dancing, chanting and Afro-pageantry. The Arkestra has been at the forefront of Afro-futurism since their inception.
The Arkestra have recorded more than 100 albums. Their 2020 album "Swirling" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Big Band Jazz Ensemble recording. Their newest album “Lights On A Satellite” was released in February 2025.
After more than 60 years the band continue to circle the globe on their Inter-Galactic tour. Recent highlights include shows at the Kennedy Center with Solange, The Berlin Opera House, the Burlington Jazz Festival and a New York City show at Radio City Music Hall.
Few bands have traveled this far – cosmically and musically.
SPACE IS THE PLACE!