A Strange Celestial Road: My Time in the Sun Ra Arkestra

The Arkestra Chronicles is a thrilling account of life with Sun Ra's Arkestra and New York's avant-garde jazz scenes from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Written by Harlem-born trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah, this memoir offers a fascinating portrait of advanced music in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, including thrilling stories about The East and the author's tutelage under composer and long-time Archie Shepp collaborator Cal Massey.

Along the way, Abdullah shares his spiritual development as a Buddhist, battles with addiction, tribulations as a father, and lessons from Sun Ra.

As an educator and cab driver, Abdullah also offers insights into the challenges of working life and the importance of music education.

With its rich narrative and vivid portrayal of a bygone era, The Arkestra Chronicles is a must-read for any fan of jazz or those interested in the history of experimental music.