Article Contributed by Dan Bauer PR
Published on 2026-08-14
Photo: Courtesy of Sun Ra Arkestra
The legendary Sun Ra Arkestra returns to McCarter on Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m., bringing its cosmic jazz to the Berlind Theatre. Led by longtime saxophonist and bandleader Marshall Allen, the ensemble blends big-band swing, free jazz, bebop, spiritual jazz, improvisation and Afrofuturist performance.
Formed in Chicago in the mid-1950s as the musical vehicle for visionary composer Sun Ra, the Arkestra has spent seven decades touring the world and inspiring generations of musicians and audiences. Sun Ra was a pioneer of early synthesizer use and the free-jazz movement of the 1960s, combining musical experimentation with a spiritual philosophy centered on the power of music to uplift and connect.
Since Sun Ra’s death in 1993, the ensemble has continued his musical legacy under the leadership of Marshall Allen. At 102, Allen remains an active force in the Arkestra, leading a 14-piece ensemble whose performances bring together music, movement, theatricality and improvisation. The musicians’ colorful costumes, dancing, chanting and Afro-pageantry have become an integral part of the Arkestra’s distinctive live experience.
Recent recordings, including Swirling (2020), Living Sky (2022) and Lights on a Satellite (2024), demonstrate the ensemble’s continuing evolution while remaining rooted in Sun Ra’s expansive musical vision.
Thursday Happy Hour
Before the concert, McCarter’s Thursday Happy Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public—no show ticket required. Enjoy discounted drinks and snacks from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with DJ Dan Buskirk from WPRB spinning vinyl.
Sun Ra Arkestra
Thursday, September 3, 2026
7:30 p.m.
McCarter’s Berlind Theatre
Princeton, NJ
Tickets start at $35.
For tickets and more information, visit mccarter.org or call the Box Office at (609) 258-2787.
Media Sponsors: WRTI & WPRB
