Danny Ray Thompson has died. He was 72. The Sun Ra Arkestra tweeted the news mentioning that the player passed away two days ago.
On the Arkestra website there is a tribute: ''Danny Ray Thompson… was on 72 Arkestra recordings and performed on baritone sax, alto sax, flute, Neptunian libflecto (bassoon with French horn or saxophone mouthpiece), percussion, and vocals within the band. He performed 45 years in the Sun Ra Arkestra, first joining it in 1967. He also served as Band Manager during his Arkestra tenure. Danny Ray Thompson is now travelling the spaceways, joining the many beloved Arkestra members who have previously left the planet and who now soar with the spirit of Sun Ra.''
Known by the nickname Pico he ''arrived on the planet'' in Sun Ra lingo on 1 October 1947, born in New York City. With his family he later moved to Los Angeles and after high school moved back to Harlem and studied at night school at the Julliard School of Music. His teachers included Garvin Bushell on flute and alto sax and again on flute James Spaulding. His first professional gig was with fabled Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji in 1966. Through Marshall Allen and John Gilmore Thompson first met Sun Ra. He later became the Arkestra manager and after leaving for an extended period rejoined in 2002.
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