Since 1958, Kentucky-born multi-instrumentalist Marshall Allen (b. 1924) has been a mainstay of the many Arkestras--big and small--of free jazz pioneer Sun Ra. Allen’s main instrument is the alto saxophone, but he also plays flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, percussion, and the electronic EVI. Since the passings of Ra and fellow traveler/saxophonist John Gilmore, Allen has been leading the Arkestra. Aside from brief stints with pianist Paul Bley and African drummer Olatunji, his performing history has been devoted to Ra almost entirely, although he’s recorded in varied contexts since Ra’s death.