{sun ra arkestra tearing up the ‘06 festival}

In 1968, iconoclastic Jazz composer Sun Ra relocated his 30-member Arkestra from New York to Philly in order to, in his own words, “Save the planet.”

Like a true Philadelphian, Sun Ra never thought small. And neither does the West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival, now in it’s fourth incarnation with four outdoor stages, hundreds of musicians and crowds expected to top 100,000 this weekend!

From the sound of Philly’s avant-garde to funk and straightahead Jazz, there’s literally something for everyone starting tonight and running through Sunday. You can check out the schedule in its entirety here. The free events kick off this evening at 7:00 with Mt. Airy’s own Pieces of a Dream and the “Godfather of Acid Jazz,” Roy Ayers!

We’ll be bringing you updates and artist profiles live from West Oak Lane all weekend long , but if you just can’t wait, take a listen to our exclusive interview with Kevin Diehl of Philly’s own Sonic Liberation Front. See you there!

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West Oak Lane Jazz Festival
Ogontz Ave. between Stenton and E. Washington Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19138

uwishunu sponsors the FREE round-trip shuttle Saturday and Sunday, leaving the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market) every hour, on the hour. For complete information, visit www.westoaklanefestival.com.

{Jeffrey Parks blogs at badbirdie}