How Sun Ra gave thanks to the Creator
Clip: 2/20/2026 | 2m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Each day, Sun Ra wrote a piece of music solely for “the Creator.”
Each day, Sun Ra wrote a piece of music solely for “the Creator” as thanks for giving him the gift of music.
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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
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How Sun Ra gave thanks to the Creator
Clip: 2/20/2026 | 2m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Each day, Sun Ra wrote a piece of music solely for “the Creator” as thanks for giving him the gift of music.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(birds chirping) - Sun Ra woke up with the sun and he sat down at the piano and he improvised a new piece of music.
The band never played it.
He never played it live.
That was purely to give thanks to the Creator for his gifts.
(calm music) - He had a room, we called it the chaos room.
He said, "Well, this is where I hide my treasures."
Music everywhere.
He would always be writing music.
We'd go on a train, he'd be writing music.
In his room, writing music.
(calm music continues) - There's no time you ever spoke to Sun Ra where he didn't mention the Creator.
He said, "Everybody all over this planet "is always asking the Creator for things.
"Nobody ever gives the Creator anything.
"So every morning, I give the Creator a song."
(tense music) (calm music)
How Sun Ra created his own record label, Saturn Records
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Clip: 2/20/2026 | 2m 3s | Sun Ra was one of the first Black artists to have his own record label. (2m 3s)
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Preview: 2/20/2026 | 2m 2s | Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra. (2m 2s)
Sun Ra’s concept of “alter destiny” was his way of changing humanity
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Clip: 2/20/2026 | 3m 29s | Sun Ra wanted to change humanity with his concept of the “alter destiny.” (3m 29s)
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...