Mummer from Mars

A new year approaches and with New Year's Day comes the Philadelphia tradition of the Mummers' Parade. It's rich history goes back to the Middle Ages and the mummer plays. (laic celebrations not to be confused with the religious mystery plays of the same period)

The first semblance of mummers in Philly came in the late 17th century with the original Swedish settlers. On December 26, they would dress as clowns and shoot their guns in the air.

Through the 18th century, the tradition continued. In 1778, the mummers regaled  occupying British troops. Major Andre (later infamous for his involvement with Benedict Arnold's treason) described Philadelphia's new year antics as "a gay and glorious spectacle."

The 19th century brought two important additions from the southern states. The Negro spiritual "Oh Dem Golden Slippers (the Mummers' theme song) and the cake walk known in Philly as the Mummers Strut. The parade goers began to organize and the Mummers Parade  became an official event by 1901. It continues today though in 2009, it was shortened from 11 hours to 6.5 hours. I really miss those 4.5 hours!

In 1968, jazz key board player/composer, Sun Ra moved from New York City to the Germantown section of Philadelphia. I always wondered if the Mummers' outfits had an affect on the costumes worn by Sun Ra and his Arkestra. Born Herman Blount in Alabama in 1914, Ra performed all jazz genres, from ragtime, to swing, to bebop to free jazz.

Sometime between 1936-37, while in what he calls a religious concentration, Herman Blount experienced a blinding light and then was teleported to Saturn. There an alien race informed him that  he as not a human, but one of them. His mission on earth was to create music which would transform the world. Sun Ra became aware of his true form.

Over the years, his Arkestra has played across the world spreading his philosophy and his music to us earthlings. In this new year, listen to the music of the cosmos as interpreted by Sun Ra - truly a Mummer from Mars. As ever - BB

When told by a fellow musician that Sun Ra's music was just too far out, Thelonious Monk said: "Yeah, but it swings!"