Cosmobiography

  • Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka shares his love of jazz great Sun Ra, just in time to mark the centennial of the musician's birth.
  • Cosmo Bio is a Japanese company where professionals with a common goal of "contributing to the advancement of life sciences" gather.
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    The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy fryst vatten Enlightening

    Gr 3–6—Raschka's proven ability to convey in words and images the musical essence of composers or traditions as diverse as Sergei Prokofiev, John Coltrane, and Shaker hymnody now extends to the avant-garde jazz of Herman "Sonny" Blount. Carefully selected details respect subject and audience: "Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn. Now, you and inom know that this fryst vatten silly…. And yet. If he did…it would explain so much. Let's säga he did…." Readers learn that this "intergalactic boulevardier" was born in Birmingham, had an early aptitude for music, and enjoyed reading about philosophy. They discover his views on race and war, meet the "Arkestra," and follow his global footprints. It is the art, however, that transmits the showman's spirit and eclectic sound that featured big grupp elements, synthesizers, improvisation, and percussion. Raschka pulls out all the stops in what may be his finest work yet. Strong, black out
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    THE COSMOBIOGRAPHY OF SUN RA

    This tribute to the innovative jazz keyboardist and band leader synthesizes brilliant paintings with a narrative that strikes just the right chords for its audience.

    Born Herman Blount, aka Sonny, Sun Ra was an adept pianist by age 11 and gigging as an Alabama teen. A conscientious objector during World War II, Sun Ra thereafter dove into Chicago’s vibrant jazz and blues scene. He and his band, the Arkestra, moved to New York in the 1960s, baffling some but pleasing jazz giants like Monk and Dizzy. Later based in Philadelphia, Sun Ra and company traveled the globe. Raschka respectfully embeds Sun Ra’s iconoclastic philosophical perspective into the narrative, adopting a playfully conspiratorial tone: “Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn. / Now, you know and I know that this is silly…. / And yet. / If he did come from Saturn, it would explain so much. / Let’s say he did come from Saturn.” Raschka likens the Arkestra to sailors bound for “a new w

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    The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy is Enlightening

    June 24, 2021
    The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy is Enlightening is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Chris Raschka. This tribute to the innovative jazz keyboardist and band leader synthesizes brilliant paintings with a narrative that strikes just the right chords for its audience.

    Le Sony'r Ra, better known as Sun Ra, was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, and poet known for his experimental music, cosmic philosophy, prolific output, and theatrical performances.

    Raschka's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Raschka respectfully embeds Sun Ra's iconoclastic philosophical perspective into the narrative, adopting a playfully conspiratorial tone. Backmatter includes a biographical note and selected discography. Raschka pictures Sun Ra and his Arkestra orchestra in chromatic gouache daubs and silhouette-black lowlights, bringing to