Born in Missouri, tenor saxophonist John Gilmore first made his mark on jazz in Chicago. For over four decades, Gilmore was one of the constant central figures in the cult-like Sun Ra Arkestra, a theatrical bop-to-free jazz orchestra led by the enigmatic Sun Ra. Yet Gilmore was one of the few Sun Ra stalwarts to have a career apart from the Arkestra, recording with Clifford Jordan, Paul Bley, and even playing briefly in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (replacing Wayne Shorter circa 1964/1965). He also helmed a few sessions under his own name. In fact, Gilmore, a fine, versatile saxophonist who gave lessons to John Coltrane, may have become a star soloist had he not dedicated himself wholeheartedly to Ra’s unique vision.