Abshalom Ben Shlomo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abshalom Ben Shlomo
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Virgil C. Pumphrey |
| Also known as | Absholom ben Shlomo, Abshlom ben Shlomo |
| Born | November 11, 1943 Chicago, Illinois |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | Jazz, Free jazz, Avant-garde jazz, Experimental jazz |
| Occupation(s) | musician |
| Instruments | Alto saxophone, clarinet, flute |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | Shandar, MPS Records, Transparency |
| Associated acts | Sun Ra Arkestra, AACM |
Abshalom ben Shlomo (born November 11, 1943) is an Israeli-American jazz musician. He is famous for playing the saxophone. Ben Shlomo is best known for working with the amazing jazz keyboardist and bandleader Sun Ra in the 1970s.
Early Life and Music
Abshalom ben Shlomo was born Virgil C. Pumphrey on November 11, 1943. His hometown was Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. He first learned about jazz through a special group called the AACM. This group in Chicago helps musicians create new and exciting music.
He studied the tenor sax with a great teacher named Joe Daley. Virgil Pumphrey, as he was known then, was one of the first musicians to join the AACM.
Playing with Sun Ra
Ben Shlomo met Sun Ra by chance in Chicago when he was a teenager around 1960. He joined Sun Ra's band, the Arkestra, in 1970. He became known as a "Creative Tone Scientist" in the group.
He played on some important recordings with Sun Ra. These include the album "Black Myth/Out in Space". He also performed at the Nuits de la Fondation Maeght shows in 1970. These live performances were released as an album in 1971.
Besides the saxophone, ben Shlomo also plays the clarinet, flute, and percussion. He has worked with many famous jazz musicians. Some of these include Pharoah Sanders and Anthony Braxton. He also played with Henry Threadgill, a friend from his early days in the AACM.
In the mid-1970s, ben Shlomo moved to Arad, Israel. He has strong connections to the local Hebrew-Yisraelite community there.
Music Today
Abshalom ben Shlomo has lived in Israel for over 40 years. He continues to develop his unique musical style there. His main band is called The Abshalom Ben Shlomo Ethnic Experience. They perform regularly.
In 2014, ben Shlomo was part of the Sun Ra "Centennial Dream" Arkestra. This special group was led by Marshall Allen.
