Marshall Allen, Sun Ra Arkestra’s 100-year old bandleader, announces solo debut: hear “New Dawn” ft Neneh Cherry

Sun Ra Arkestra bandleader Marshall Allen, who will turn 101 in May, has announced his first-ever solo album, New Dawn, which will be out February 14 via Mexican Summer / Week-End Records. The album was made with fellow Arkestra member Knoel Scott and producer Jan Lankisch, plus Michael Ray and Cecil Brooks (trumpet), Jamaaladeen Tacuma (bass), Bruce Edwards (guitar), and George Gray (drums).

“Knoel’s energy became the driving force behind the project,” says Lankisch. “He knew Marshall better than anyone, and his deep understanding of Marshall’s compositions guided the selection of material for the album.”

New Dawn‘s title track is a gorgeous ballad that features the distinct vocal stylings of Neneh Cherry. Watch the video for the song below.

Sun Ra Arkestra recently played NYC’s Winter Jazzfest and opened for Yo La Tengo at Night 7 of their annual Hanukkah run, and will next play Princeton, NJ’s Berlind Theatre on January 30. Their 2025 schedule also includes Knoxville’s Big Ears festival, where they will once again collaborate with Yo La Tengo. All dates are listed below.

New Dawn
1. Prologue
2. African Sunset
3. New Dawn (feat. Neneh Cherry)
4. Are You Ready
5. Sonny’s Dance
6. Boma
7. Angels and Demons at Play

Sun Ra Arkestra – 2025 Tour Dates
Thu Jan 30th. Princeton, NJ Berlind Theatre
Sat March 8th. Meredith, Victoria, Australia Golden Plains Festival
Sat March 22nd. Washington, DC Howard Theatre
Fri March 28th. Knoxville, TN Big Ears Festival with Yo La Tengo
Sat March 29th. Knoxville, TN Big Ears Festival
Sat May 10th. London, U.K. HERE at Outernet
Mon May 12th. Mannheim, Germany Alte Feuerbache
Tue May 13th. St. Gallen, Switzerland Palace
Thu May 15th. Athens, Greece CT Theater