Danny Ray Thompson

{{Short description|American jazz musician (1947–2020)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Danny Ray Thompson

| image = Knoel Scott & Danny Thompson.jpg

| caption = Thompson (right), in 2008

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1947|10|1}}

| birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|3|12|1947|10|1}}

| death_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

| genre = Avant-garde jazz, free jazz, experimental

| occupation = Musician

| instrument = Baritone saxophone,{{Cite web|last=Pinnock|first=Tom|title=Sun Ra: "There's a lot of strange stuff that goes on around the pyramids – why don't you bring a tape?"|url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/sun-ra-theres-lot-strange-stuff-goes-around-pyramids-dont-bring-tape-109690/|work=Uncut|date=March 1, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2020}} bassoon{{Cite web|last=Helfet|first=Gabriela|title=Sun Ra's 1986 Poland concert recording released for the first time|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/news/sun-ra-arkestra-live-poland-vinyl-in-kalisz/|work=The Vinyl Factory|date=September 24, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2020}}

| associated_acts = Sun Ra

}}

Danny Ray Thompson (October 1, 1947 – March 12, 2020) was an American jazz musician.{{Cite web|last=Russonello|first=Giovanni|title=Danny Ray Thompson, 72, Dies; Mainstay of Sun Ra's Otherworldly Band|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/arts/music/danny-ray-thompson-dead.html?curator=MusicREDEF|work=The New York Times|date=March 20, 2020|access-date=March 21, 2020}} He played baritone saxophone with the Sun Ra Arkestra and managed the band for a period of time.{{Cite web|last=Bloom|first=Madison|title=Sun Ra Arkestra's Danny Ray Thompson Dead at 72|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/sun-ra-arkestras-danny-ray-thompson-dead-at-72/|work=Pitchfork|date=March 20, 2020|access-date=March 21, 2020}}

Early life

Thompson was born in New York City, to Elgie and Oscar Leonard Thompson. 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.

Career

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

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.{{Cite web|last=Shanahan|first=Mark|title=Sun Ra has a 100th birthday celebration|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2014/02/23/governor-deval-patrick-celebrates-sun-anniversary/3BbSXuiZGt73MMOTK7BiGI/story.html|work=The Boston Globe|date=February 23, 2014|access-date=March 21, 2020}}

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References