Marshall Allen: ‘It wasn’t just playing the notes, but the way you played it.’ Photograph: Ron Stephens Jr./The Guardian
Marshall Allen: ‘It wasn’t just playing the notes, but the way you played it.’ Photograph: Ron Stephens Jr./The Guardian

‘A man cannot learn without discipline’: jazz guru Marshall Allen on life with Sun Ra – and turning 100

From fighting in a second world war cavalry unit to sharing in a vision for an interstellar Black utopia, the multi-instrumentalist – in a rare audience at his astonishing practice space – has had a musical journey like no other

About Shannon

Shannon Ali (Shannon J. Effinger) has been a freelance arts journalist and cultural critic for over a decade. Her writing on all things jazz and music regularly appears in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR Music, Pitchfork, Bandcamp, EBONY, Jazziz, Jazzwise, and Downbeat, among others.

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Writing by Shannon

The Amazing Musical Journey of Kahil El’Zaba

Spin | March 13, 2024

Written by Shannon J. Effinger

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Herbie Hancock

New York Times | May 3, 2023

Shannon J. Effinger

Jazz Wunderkind Samara Joy Is Primed for Greatness

W Magazine | February 2, 2023

by Shannon J. Effinger

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Ornette Coleman

New York Times | November 2, 2022

Mal Waldron, sideman to jazz greats, gets a solo retrospective

The Washington Post | September 30, 2022

By Shannon J. Effinger

Somi pays tribute to Miriam Makeba, on album and on stage

The Washington Post | May 19, 2022

By Shannon J. Effinger

Reflecting on the wisdom of our jazz elders

NPR | December 21, 2021

by Shannon J. Effinger

Melanie Charles knows the impact Black women have had on jazz

The Washington Post | November 12, 2021

by Shannon J. Effinger

Lee Morgan’s ‘Live at the Lighthouse’ was a masterpiece that turned out to be a farewell

The Washington Post | August 27, 2021

by Shannon J. Effinger

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More by Shannon

Dorothy Ashby: With Strings Attached, 1957-1965 will be released in 2023 New Land Records. This remarkable collection, which includes impassioned and deeply researched liner notes by journalist Shannon J. Effinger, provide historical context to Dorothy’s life, offering the most in-depth piece of writing ever committed to print on Dorothy, as well as interviews with those who knew her best.