Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993) was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, and poet known for his experimental music, cosmic philosophy, prolific output, and theatrical performances. As a self-described “cosmic poet,” his lyrical and philosophical poetry explored themes including black pride, freedom, and space travel. His prolific musical output spanned a wide range of genres, from avant-garde jazz and free jazz to swing, bebop, and fusion. Sun Ra’s music heavily influenced the development of jazz, funk, and hip hop. He is often cited as a major innovator in 20th century music and a major influence on the free jazz movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
| Name | Sun Ra |
| Birth Date | May 22, 1914 |
| Genres | Jazz, avant-garde jazz, free jazz, space-age pop |
| Occupation | Composer, bandleader, keyboardist, poet |
| Instruments | Piano, synthesizer, electric piano, organ, celeste, clavioline, vibraphone |
| Years Active | 1940s-1990s |
10 Best Sun Ra Quotes
“I’m not from this planet. I’m from a planet called Saturn.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“I’m a space age musician. I’m from space. I’m not of this earth.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“Imagination is the key to everything. It’s what makes the universe go ’round.”
– Sun Ra, from Metro Times
“The most important thing is to use your imagination and make your own world.”
– Sun Ra, from Metro Times
“I’m an extraterrestrial being from the planet Saturn, and I’ve come to this planet to teach the people the truth about life.”
– Sun Ra, from Consequence of Sound
“I came to tell you that the world is not what it appears to be. It’s a supernatural world.”
– Sun Ra, from Consequence of Sound
“The music is a bridge between the physical and the spiritual realm.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“Music is a science and an art. If you don’t study it, you can’t do it.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“The present is a world in transition, the future is a world of understanding.”
– Sun Ra, from Metro Times
“Music is a language that you can’t see. It’s a language of the soul.”
– Sun Ra, from Consequence of Sound
7 Inspirational Sun Ra Quotes
“The world is a very strange place, and it’s up to you to make it stranger.”
– Sun Ra, from The Paris Review
“Space is an extension of the human being.”
– Sun Ra, from The Paris Review
“Knowledge is the secret of life; knowledge is the key to understanding.”
– Sun Ra, from The Paris Review
“You must get to the point where you can create a place of your own; you must be able to create a place where you can exist in peace.”
– Sun Ra, from The Paris Review
“You have to develop your own spirit. To be creative you have to be active.”
– Sun Ra, from Open Democracy
“My music is telling people that they can make it if they try.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“You have to be willing to take risks. You have to step out of the box.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
7 Famous Sun Ra Quotes
“Space is the place”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“I am an alien. I come from Saturn.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“Music should not be a reflection of what’s going on. Music should be a projection of what’s going to be.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“I’m not sure what I’m saying, but I’m saying it.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“In the future, everybody will be anonymous for 15 minutes.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“The only thing that matters is what you do and how you do it.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“I’m not interested in petty things. I’m interested in cosmic things.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
7 Sun Ra Quotes About Love
“Love is the only way. That’s the way of life.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“Love is the most important thing in life.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“Love is the most powerful thing in the universe.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“Love is the only thing that will make you free.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“Love is the answer to all of life’s problems.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“Love is the only way to make a better world.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
“Love is the only thing that can save us now.”
– Sun Ra, from YouTube
8 Sun Ra Quotes About Life
“Life is a space thing. It’s a cosmic station. A lot of different stops.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“Life is a great big bang up / Where you’ll meet you don’t know who / You may find out before you’re through / That you’re somebody you never knew.”
– Sun Ra, from JazzWax
“Life is like a river, it’s always changing and it’s always going somewhere.”
– Sun Ra, from All About Jazz
“Life is an opportunity to express yourself, to be yourself.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.”
– Sun Ra, from All About Jazz
“Life is a mystery that’s why we should live it to the fullest.”
– Sun Ra, from Interview Magazine
“Life is the only reality; everything else is pure illusion.”
– Sun Ra, from The Guardian
“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.”
– Sun Ra, from JazzWax
5 Quotes About Sun Ra
“Sun Ra’s music was an exploration of the unknown, and that’s why he was so important. He was reaching for something beyond what anyone had ever done.”
– Kamasi Washington, from The Guardian
“Sun Ra was the first to bring science fiction imagery into jazz. He was the first to bring in space. He was the first to bring in the idea of a new mythology.”
– Charles Lloyd, from The Guardian
“Sun Ra was the first to use technology in a creative way in jazz. He was the first to use electronics and synthesizers, and he was a pioneer in all of that.”
– Herbie Hancock, from The Guardian
“Sun Ra was a composer, an improviser, a bandleader, and an explorer of the cosmos. He was a visionary artist who created a world of sound and vision that was both ahead of its time and timeless.”
– John Corbett, from AllMusic
“Sun Ra was a unique musical talent, a man who explored the furthest reaches of musical possibility, and a figure of cosmic vision.”
– Thom Jurek, from AllMusic
Interview with Sun Ra
Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Ra
1. What is the origin of Sun Ra’s famous quote “Space is the Place”?
Sun Ra’s iconic quote “Space is the Place” has been an integral part of his philosophy and aesthetic since the early 1960s. Ra, who claimed to be an alien from Saturn and was a major innovator in jazz and African-American music and culture, used the phrase to emphasize the importance of the unknown and exploring new possibilities.
Ra’s famous phrase was first uttered in the 1972 experimental film of the same name, “Space is the Place”. The film follows Ra and his band, The Arkestra, as they travel to Oakland, California, in search of a utopian space colony.
The quote can be found in various forms throughout Ra’s work and has become one of his best-known sayings. It has since been used in various contexts to refer to exploration and discovery, as well as freedom and liberation from oppressive structures.
- The phrase was first uttered in the 1972 experimental film of the same name, “Space is the Place”.
- The film follows Ra and his band, The Arkestra, as they travel to Oakland, California, in search of a utopian space colony.
- The quote can be found in various forms throughout Ra’s work and has become one of his best-known sayings.
- It has since been used in various contexts to refer to exploration and discovery, as well as freedom and liberation from oppressive structures.
2. What other prominent works of Sun Ra popularized the concept of “cosmic consciousness”?
- The Cosmic Tomes (1977)
- The Solar Myth Approach (1975)
- The Immeasurable Equation (1986)
- The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra (1965)
- The Magic City (1965)
- Planetary Unknown (1987)
- The Space Age is Here to Stay (1962)
- The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra (1972)
- The Nubians of Plutonia (1966)
- The Quest (1964)
3. What is the significance of Sun Ra’s quote “There are no new ideas”?
Sun Ra’s quote “There are no new ideas” is a reminder that creativity is not about inventing something entirely new, but rather taking existing ideas and combining them in new and creative ways. The quote is a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere, even from the past.
In a broader sense, it can be seen as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, where the same events and ideas keep repeating themselves in new forms. By understanding this concept, we can better understand how the present is shaped by the past.
- Sun Ra’s quote is a reminder that creativity is not about inventing something entirely new, but rather taking existing ideas and combining them in new and creative ways.
- It can be seen as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, where the same events and ideas keep repeating themselves in new forms.
- By understanding this concept, we can better understand how the present is shaped by the past.
4. How has Sun Ra’s philosophy on life and creativity influenced modern music?
Sun Ra’s philosophy on life and creativity has had a major influence on modern music. His views on the power of music to bring people together and his commitment to self-expression resonated with many musicians, inspiring them to try new things and push boundaries. Here are some of the ways Sun Ra’s philosophy has influenced modern music:
- Sun Ra’s emphasis on improvisation has led to a more open-minded approach to music-making. Musicians today often embrace improvisation and experimentation, creating unique and dynamic sounds.
- Sun Ra’s celebration of collective creativity has inspired a wide range of collaborations between artists. This has led to a more diverse and vibrant music landscape.
- Sun Ra’s concept of “cosmic consciousness” has encouraged musicians to explore more spiritual, transcendental sounds. This has helped to create more meaningful and thoughtful music.
- Sun Ra’s focus on self-expression has encouraged musicians to be more honest and open in their music. This has resulted in a more personal and genuine approach to music-making.
Sun Ra’s philosophy has had a lasting impact on modern music, inspiring musicians to push boundaries and express themselves through their music.
5. What are some of the most memorable Sun Ra quotes?
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz musician, composer, and poet whose thought-provoking words of wisdom continue to inspire and challenge our perceptions of the world and our place in it. Here are some of his most memorable quotes:
- “We are in a world of opposites, and we must accept the opposites and use them.”
- “Space is the place where all is one.”
- “I’m a concept, not a person.”
- “I am the sun, I am the moon. I am the universe.”
- “Life is a mystery and a paradox.”
- “Imagination is the key to all knowledge.”
- “Music is a language that everyone can understand.”
- “The world is a vast musical instrument, and we are all part of it.”
- “Change is the only constant in the universe.”
- “You can’t define infinity, but you can experience it.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sun Ra’s artistry extended far beyond his music, as he was an artist of many mediums. His words and quotes remain timeless, and offer wisdom and insight into the inner workings of the universe, as well as our own lives. Sun Ra’s creative genius, and his use of language to express himself, will continue to inspire and captivate listeners and readers for many years to come.
