Danny Ray Thompson Explained

Danny Ray Thompson
Birth Date:	1 October 1947
Birth Place:	New York City, New York, U.S.
Death Place:	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genre:	Avant-garde jazz, free jazz, experimental
Occupation:	Musician
Instrument:	Baritone saxophone,^[1] bassoon^[2]
Associated Acts:	Sun Ra

Danny Ray Thompson (October 1, 1947 – March 12, 2020) was an American jazz musician.^[3] He played baritone saxophone with the Sun Ra Arkestra and managed the band for a period of time.^[4]

Early life

Thompson was born in New York City, to Elgie and Oscar Leonard Thompson.^[3] Soon his family moved to Los Angeles, California but after high school Thompson returned to New York City and attended night classes at Juilliard School.^[3]

Career

Thompson's first concert was with Babatunde Olatunji and after meeting Marshall Allen, Thompson was introduced to Sun Ra.^[3] The first Arkestra album Thompson appeared on was 1967's Atlantis.^[4] He made his first live appearance with the Arkestra in April, 1968 at Carnegie Hall.^[3]

Thompson, along with fellow Arkestra members Marshall Allen and Charles Davis, was present for a 100th birthday celebration for Sun Ra at the Berklee College of Music in 2014.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pinnock. Tom. Sun Ra: "There's a lot of strange stuff that goes on around the pyramids – why don't you bring a tape?". Uncut. March 1, 2019. March 21, 2020.
2. Web site: Helfet. Gabriela. Sun Ra's 1986 Poland concert recording released for the first time. The Vinyl Factory. September 24, 2019. March 21, 2020.
3. Web site: Russonello. Giovanni. Danny Ray Thompson, 72, Dies; Mainstay of Sun Ra's Otherworldly Band. The New York Times. March 20, 2020. March 21, 2020.
4. Web site: Bloom. Madison. Sun Ra Arkestra's Danny Ray Thompson Dead at 72. Pitchfork. March 20, 2020. March 21, 2020.
5. Web site: Shanahan. Mark. Sun Ra has a 100th birthday celebration. The Boston Globe. February 23, 2014. March 21, 2020.