Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, legal name Le Sony'r Ra; May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993) was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his experimental music, "cosmic philosophy," prolific output, and theatrical performances. For much of his career, Ra led "The Arkestra", an ensemble with an ever-changing name and flexible line-up.

KNOWN FOR

Saturday Night Live
1978
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
Jazz Evolution
2008
Space Is the Place
1974
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
2025
Spaceways
1968
Theatre of Hope
1987
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2023
The Cry of Jazz
1959
House of Aama: Threads of Legacy
2024
The Magic City: Birmingham according to Sun Ra
2025
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
1980

FILMOGRAPHY

All
Movies
TV
Acting
17
Writing
1
Sound
7
2025
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
as Self (archive footage)
2025
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
as Self (archive footage)
2025
The Magic City: Birmingham according to Sun Ra
as Self
2024
House of Aama: Threads of Legacy
as Himself
2023
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
2017
Rebirth Is Necessary
as Self (Archive Footage)
2013
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore: Film, Stories & Images from the Mississippi Records and Alan Lomax Archive
as Himself
2008
Jazz Evolution
as Self - Organ
2005
Sun Ra: Brother From Another Planet
as Self
1984
Mystery Mister Ra
as Self
1980
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
as Himself
1978
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Musical Guest
1974
Space Is the Place
as Sun Ra
1968
Spaceways
as Himself
1966
The Magic Sun
John Cage Meets Sun Ra
as Himself
Sun Ra Arkestra: Live in West Berlin 1983
as Self