Some people may have thought I was making fun of Marshall Allen (born May 25, 1924) last week for leaving the stage during Yo La Tengo's cover of Nuclear War, but that's hardly the case. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Mr. Allen, both for his decades of contribution to Sun Ra's music and for his dedication to continuing a particularly flamboyant style of live performance at the age of 95. In my opinion, the man can walk onto or off of any stage he wants at any time of his own choosing.
Above is a short video about Marshall Allen's life. I think it says something about the rejuvenative nature of music and the restorative powers of free jazz that he is so vibrant and active at his age. He's an inspiration to us all.
We last saw Marshall Allen in 2016 when he performed at Atlanta's The Mammal Gallery with James Harrar (we saw them perform there in 2015 as well).
Here's a 2014 video of a solo performance by Allen that shows the level of energy and fiery intensity he can still summon at his advanced age.
And here's a loving tribute to Allen by his nephew, which at times sounds almost like an obit, although he's still very much alive and kicking, that provides a deep dive into his legacy, his art, and even his genealogy.
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