Danny Ray Thompson (October 1, 1947 – March 12, 2020) was an American jazz musician.

[3] He played baritone saxophone with the Sun Ra Arkestra and managed the band for a period of time.

[3] Soon his family moved to Los Angeles, California but after high school Thompson returned to New York City and attended night classes at Juilliard School.

[4] He made his first live appearance with the Arkestra in April, 1968 at Carnegie Hall.

[3] Thompson, along with fellow Arkestra members Marshall Allen and Charles Davis, was present for a 100th birthday celebration for Sun Ra at the Berklee College of Music in 2014.