Just under a month before his 101st birthday, saxophonist Marshall Allen performed his debut solo album, “New Dawn”, (released in February on Week-End Records), live for the first time.
The album’s time-crossed, space-tinged, and warmly inviting tunes was widely enjoyed tonight at the Roulette Intermedium.
If you live in NY and love music, you danced the night away to Marshall Allen’s The Sun Ra Arkestra powerful sounds, and his inspiring onstage presence, that washes the audience’s souls away.
Marshall Allen, a legendary figure in avant-garde jazz and a long-time member and current leader of Sun Ra Arkestra, released his debut solo album, a significant milestone in his nearly seven-decade-long career.
Instead of being a retrospective, “New Dawn” is presented as a new chapter, showcasing Allen’s distinct artistic voice while still acknowledging the profound influence of Sun Ra.
The album features seven tracks that explore a wide range of sonic territories, from the more relaxed and transdimensional to bluesy big band sounds, highlighting Allen’s versatility and enduring creativity.
Collaborating with fellow Arkestra member Knoel Scott, who helped curate unrecorded compositions from Allen’s archive, and featuring guest appearances from musicians from Philadelphia’s vibrant jazz scene and Arkestra veterans, as well as a vocal contribution from Neneh Cherry on the title track, “New Dawn” is a testament to the power of collaboration and intergenerational musical dialogue.
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