Sun Ra was a prolific American jazz composer, bandleader, and keyboardist who became a pioneer of Afrofuturism. Born Herman Poole Blount in Birmingham, Alabama, he legally changed his name and constructed a cosmic persona, claiming to be an angelic being from Saturn. Leading his ensemble, the Arkestra, he experimented with a vast range of musical styles, from swing and bebop to free jazz and fusion. His unique philosophy, eclectic performances, and avant-garde music have made him one of the most influential and enigmatic figures in 20th-century music.