Marshall Allen : New Dawn
Over the course of 70 years, Marshall Allen has left an indelible impact on the universe of jazz. While a talented saxophonist in his own right, Allen is best known as the leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra, having joined the group in 1958, and following the deaths of Sun Ra and fellow band member John Gilmore, taking over as the Arkestra’s leader in 1995. With four Sun Ra Arkestra studio albums released under his leadership—including 2020’s Swirling and 2022’s Living Sky—Allen has been a key player in creating some of the most forward-thinking and avant-garde jazz in both the 20th and 21st centuries. Now, with seven decades of cosmic jazz under his belt, Allen has embarked on a new journey: his first-ever solo record.
New Dawn, recorded just days after he turned 100 years old, is a stunning display of Allen’s artistry. For the most part, the seven songs that make up the album are smooth, contemplative compositions that unravel with wonderment and serenity. Joined by an eclectic range of talented musicians, Allen’s debut solo venture makes is a remarkable spiritual jazz experience.
“Prologue” begins with a lovely swirl of kora and percussion, giving way to a soothing alto saxophone rhythm on “African Sunset.” That rhythm soon blossoms into a flow of trumpet, bass, guitar, and various strings, as Allen jumps in with electronic wind instrumentation. Although there are a lot of instruments playing at once, the presentation never feels overwhelming; after years of writing and performing, Allen is a master at arranging beautiful intensity.
“New Dawn,” featuring Neneh Cherry, is the only track to feature vocals. Over Allen’s lovely saxophone performance, Cherry sings, “Glistened with rays of the sun / Fashioned sure / Pure out of the one / Arise and seek / Hear spirit speak / New Dawn is waiting for you”—her words elevated by the instrumentation to provide an immense sense of cheer and calm. Compared to the wild bombast that the Sun Ra Arkestra has been known for, New Dawn is more laid back in presentation. An exception to this is “Boma,” an exploration of frolicking instrumentation, whose rhythm unravels over its 10-minute span to underscore an array of thrilling performances. While each of the members of the ensemble showcase their talents, the most noticeable elements of technical finesse are channeled through Allen’s saxophone, George Gray’s drumming, and Knoel Scott’s congas.
At the age of 100, Marshall Allen has lived an extraordinary life, and each song on New Dawn is a celebration of that journey. Allen has given roughly three-fourths of his life to making jazz—that’s a level of passion and dedication you don’t often see. And though his solo debut arrives after an entire lifetime of incredible performances, the legendary saxophonist has created a beautiful work of cosmic jazz that stands as a testament to the creative spirit.
Label: Mexican Summer/Week-End
Year: 2025
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