Sun Ra was a jazz composer, bandleader, and keyboardist who claimed to be an alien from Saturn. He was a pioneer of Afrofuturism, blending Egyptian mysticism with science fiction and experimental music. His band, the Arkestra, was famous for its flamboyant costumes and theatrical performances that spanned the entire history of jazz, from swing to free jazz. Sun Ra was an early adopter of electronic keyboards and synthesizers, using them to create 'space music' long before they were common in pop. He led his collective for decades, living and working communally with his musicians. Sun Ra's philosophy emphasized peace, cosmic awareness, and the idea that music could liberate the human spirit from the constraints of Earthly existence. He remains one of the most eccentric and visionary figures in jazz history.