Danny Ray Thompson (1947–2020)

From the New York Times obituary:

For the better part of five decades, he was the baritone saxophonist and linchpin of one of the most idiosyncratic and influential ensembles in jazz.

Danny Ray Thompson, baritone saxophonist and flutist with the Sun Ra Arkestra, has died at the age of seventy-two. Or in Arkestra language, he has left the planet.

Here, from Halloween 2014, is a cheerful Tiny Desk Concert by a post-Ra Arkestra. “Queer Notions,” by the way, is a Coleman Hawkins tune, recorded by Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra in 1933. I’ve always been partial to Arkestral interpretations of good old good ones.

I was looking forward to seeing the Arkestra next month at the glorious Virginia Theatre. Now postponed, but probably canceled.