Sun Ra was more than a musician. The pioneering jazz composer, keyboardist, and conductor was an experience - from his signature attire to his proclaimed connection to the cosmos. Nearly three decades after his death, Sun Ra’s house in Germantown was designated a historic landmark by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Shara Dae Howard and Justin Udo, curators of KYW Newsradio’s Artists’ Block series, put Sun Ra’s legendary career into perspective, while also explaining why his home was instrumental in inspiring the out-of-this-world sound he and his Arkestra created. Never heard or seen a Sun Ra performance before? Check out this clip (credit: Night Music).

The Jawncast is Jay Scott Smith, Sabrina Boyd-Surka, and Brian Seltzer. Follow @TheJawncast on Twitter for every new episode.

Sun Ra was more than a musician. The pioneering jazz composer, keyboardist, and conductor was an experience - from his signature attire to his proclaimed connection to the cosmos. Nearly three decades after his death, Sun Ra&rsquo;s house in Germantown was designated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/sun-ra-philly-home-historic-landmark" data-stringify-link="https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/sun-ra-philly-home-historic-landmark" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">a historic landmark</a>&nbsp;by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/sharadae" data-stringify-link="http://twitter.com/sharadae" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">Shara Dae Howard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/justinudo" data-stringify-link="http://twitter.com/justinudo" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">Justin Udo</a>, curators of KYW Newsradio&rsquo;s Artists&rsquo; Block series, put Sun Ra&rsquo;s legendary career into perspective, while also explaining why his home was instrumental in inspiring the out-of-this-world sound he and his Arkestra created. Never heard or seen a Sun Ra performance before? Check out this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqe_v11q3U" data-stringify-link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqe_v11q3U" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">clip</a>&nbsp;(credit: Night Music).
The Jawncast is<a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayscottsmith">&nbsp;Jay Scott Smith</a>,<a href="http://www.twitter.com/SabrinaKayaB">&nbsp;Sabrina Boyd-Surka</a>, and<a href="http://www.twitter.com/brianseltzer">&nbsp;Brian Seltzer</a>. Follow<a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheJawncast">&nbsp;@TheJawncast</a>&nbsp;on Twitter for every new episode.

Unique and unexpected stories out of Philadelphia. Made here, for everyone. Hosted and produced by Brian Seltzer and Sabrina Boyd-Surka.

Unique and unexpected stories out of Philadelphia. Made here, for everyone. Hosted and produced by Brian Seltzer and Sabrina Boyd-Surka.

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