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Wadada Leo Smith
ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH trumpet-player, multi- instrumentalist, composer and improviser has been active in the creative contemporary world music for over thirty years. His theory of Jazz and World music was significant in his music development as an artist and educator.
Born in Leland, Mississippi, Smith's early musical life began in the high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen, he became immersed within the Delta Blues and Improvisation music traditions. He received his formal musical education with his father, the U.S. Military band program (1963), Sherwood School of Music (1967-69), and Wesleyan University (1975-76).
As an Improvisor-Composer, Smith has studied a variety of music cultures (African, Japanese, Indonesian, European and American) and has developed a Jazz and world music theory, and a notation system to fully express this music which he calls "Ankhrasmation".
He has taught at the University of New Haven 1975-'76, the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, NY. 1975-'78, and Bard College 1987-'93. He is currently a professor of Music at the California Institute of the Arts, and is the director of the MFA program in African American Improvisation. He is a member of ASCAP Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.
Mr. Smith's awards includes: Islamic World Arts Initiative of Arts International 2004, Meet the Composer/ Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Commissioning Program 1996, Asian Cultural Council Grantee to Japan June-Augast 1993; Meet the Composer/ Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Commissioning Program 1990; New York Foundation on the Arts Fellowship in Music 1990; Numerous Meet the Composer Grants since1977; and National Eneowment for the Arts Music Grants 1972, 1974, 1981.
Mr. Smith's music philosophy Notes (8 Pieces) Source a New. World Music: Creative Music has been published by Kiom Press 1973, translated and published in Japan by Zen-On Music Company Ltd. 1976.
In 1981 Notes was translated into Italian and published by Nistri-Litschi Editori. He was invited to a conference of artists, scientists and philosophers "Third Culture Copenhagen" in Denmark 1996, and presented a paper on his Ankhrasmation music theory and notational system for creative musicians. His interview was recorded for Denmark T.V., broadcasted September 1996.
He has composed music for solo, ensemble, classical and creative orchestra and stage works. His solo piano music has been performed by Ms. Ursula Opens, Ms. Marilyn Crispell, Mr. David Rosenboom and Ms. Vickie Ray.
Mr. Smith's Nda-Kulture ensemble has performed most of his music since 1970. His compositions has been performed by other contemporary music ensembles: AACM -Orchestra, Kronos Quartet, Da Capo Chamber Player, New Century Players, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Contemporary Chamber Players (University of Chicago), S.E.M. Ensemble and California E.A.R. Unit.
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Joe Fonda: Eyes On The Horizon
by Mark Corroto
When a musician who is a legend himself, herein bassist Joe Fonda, creates an album of tribute music to his mentor and teacher, it is rare that that person also performs on the recording. Fonda wrote the seven compositions heard here, with five dedicated to the master musician Wadada Leo Smith. On Eyes on The Horizon, Fonda is joined by pianist Satoko Fujii, drummer Tiziano Tononi and Smith himself. During his career, Fonda has been heard with such ...
Continue ReadingWadada Leo Smith, Amina Claudine Myers: Central Park's Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens
by Giuseppe Segala
Amina Claudine Myers e Wadada Leo Smith sono stati protagonisti fin dalle prime mosse del fermento artistico che ha preso il nome di Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, a Chicago nel 1965 per iniziativa di Muhal Richard Abrams, Malachi Favors, Fred Anderson e altri artisti più giovani, che cercavano nuove strade, mescolando in modo inedito improvvisazione e scrittura, musica e spinta sociale. Ma non avevano mai registrato in duo, anche se proprio tale formula è stata alla base ...
Continue ReadingWadada Leo Smith and Amina Claudine Myers: Central Park's Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens
by Doug Collette
On Central Park's Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens, trumpeter/composer Wadada Leo Smith and keyboardist/composer Amina Claudine Myers evince as much curiosity as passion for their subject(s). This is the first recorded collaboration between the two, but they were both early members of AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). And besides Smith's familiarity with the duo format--The Emerald Duets (Tum Records, 2022)--he had composed a paean to the (now) newly-minted NEA Jazz Master keyboardist in 2015, titling ...
Continue ReadingWadada Leo Smith - Amina Claudine Myers: Central Park's Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens
by Mike Jurkovic
Sacred music for what many consider a very sacred place, Central Park's Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths, and Gardens unites two natural forces- -the trumpeted truth of Wadada Leo Smith and the open air church of pianist & organist Amina Claudine Myers--for their first collaboration since their early years as active members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). Founded in 1965, in the heat of Chicago, by pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, pianist Jodie Christian, drummer Steve McCall ...
Continue ReadingWadada Leo Smith / Amina Claudine Myers: Central Park’s Mosaics of Reservoir, Lake, Paths and Gardens
by Karl Ackermann
Since the beginning of the 2000s, Wadada Leo Smith has produced a number of small masterpieces in the form of themed box sets. The prolific composer/trumpeter has aged into a creative period analogous to few of his contemporaries. His monumental Ten Freedom Summers (TUM, 2013)--a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize--America's National Parks (Cuneiform Records, 2016), and Trumpet (TUM, 2021), have each taken disparate roads in redefining creative music. The relative brevity and contemplative atmosphere of Central Park's Mosaics of Reservoir, ...
Continue ReadingSylvie Courvoisier: Chimaera
by John Sharpe
Even though pianist Sylvie Courvoisier has bassist Drew Gress and drummer Kenny Wollesen on hand for Chimaera, the six-piece band is a long way from being merely the storied threesome, which made Double Windsor (Tzadik, 2014), D'Agala (Intakt, 2018) and Free Hoops (Intakt, 2020), plus added guests. As she explains in the liners, the music was originally commissioned for the 2021 Sons d'Hiver festival in Paris and was inspired by the surreal works of French Symbolist artist ...
Continue ReadingA Compilation Of New Releases From 2023 Including Cory Wong, Jizue And Matteo Mancusco
by Len Davis
Continuing our wrap of 2023 new releases including Wadada Leo Smith, Jizue, Cory Wong, Funky Knuckles and Marriage Material.Playlist Echoes of Zoo “Lizard Dance" from Speech of Species (W.E.R.E) 00:00 Wadada Leo Smith “Muhammad Ali and George Forman Rumble in Zaire" from Fire Illuminations (Kabel) 05:52 Cory Wong “Stomping Grounds" from The Power Station Tour (Roundwound) 11:46 Loam “Choose Your Fighter" from Featherbrained (Self Produced) 17:50 Jizue “Quindago" from Biotop (Victor)23:50 The Funky Knuckles “Back Meetings" from The ...
Continue ReadingLegendary Trumpeter/Composer Wadada Leo Smith To Premiere His Monumental New Work, America Transformed, At Brooklyn College From Sept. 8–11
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
At 81 years of age, Wadada Leo Smith is deep in the midst of the most creative and prolific period of an already formidable career. On the heels of a yearlong 80th birthday celebration that featured a number of dazzling performances along with several large-scale releases, the visionary composer and trumpeter will premiere his most monumental work to date. From September 8 to 11 at Brooklyn College’s Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts, Smith will present the ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Wadada Leo Smith's birthday today!
ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH trumpet-player, multi- instrumentalist, composer and improviser has been active in the creative contemporary world music for over thirty years. His theory of Jazz and World music was significant in his music development as an artist and educator. Born in Leland, Mississippi, Smith's early musical life began in the high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen, he became immersed within the Delta Blues ...
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Los Angeles Philharmonic Presents World Premiere Of New Work By Iconic Composer And Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith on March 8
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
A new work by groundbreaking composer and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic will be premiered on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. The new work, part of Smith’s Earth series, is titled “Gondwana: Earth, a Blue Sanctuary, Oceans, Seas, Lakes, Rivers, Springs and Lagoons; Paradise Gardens and Skies.” Members of the LA Phil New Music Group as well as cellist and co-curator Jay Campbell will be featured on the performance, which will be conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni. ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Wadada Leo Smith's birthday today!
ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH trumpet-player, multi- instrumentalist, composer and improviser has been active in the creative contemporary world music for over thirty years. His theory of Jazz and World music was significant in his music development as an artist and educator. Born in Leland, Mississippi, Smith's early musical life began in the high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen, he became immersed within the Delta Blues ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Wadada Leo Smith's birthday today!
ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH trumpet-player, multi- instrumentalist, composer and improviser has been active in the creative contemporary world music for over thirty years. His theory of Jazz and World music was significant in his music development as an artist and educator. Born in Leland, Mississippi, Smith's early musical life began in the high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen, he became immersed within the Delta Blues ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Wadada Leo Smith's birthday today!
ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH trumpet-player, multi- instrumentalist, composer and improviser has been active in the creative contemporary world music for over thirty years. His theory of Jazz and World music was significant in his music development as an artist and educator. Born in Leland, Mississippi, Smith's early musical life began in the high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen, he became immersed within the Delta Blues ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Wadada Leo Smith's birthday today!
ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH trumpet-player, multi- instrumentalist, composer and improviser has been active in the creative contemporary world music for over thirty years. His theory of Jazz and World music was significant in his music development as an artist and educator. Born in Leland, Mississippi, Smith\'s early musical life began in the high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen... Read more.
Place our Musician of the ...
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Iconic Composer And Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith Presents 2nd Annual CREATE Festival April 7-8 In New Haven, CT
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
“A trumpeter and composer of penetrating insight.” —Nate Chinen, The New York Times Legendary composer and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith presents the Second Annual CREATE Festival in New Haven, CT, a two-day celebration and exploration of his inventive and unclassifiable music that will feature world or US premiere performances of four new suites. Taking place Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street, New Haven, CT, the festival will include performances by five separate ...
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Recent Listening In Brief: Two From Wadada Leo Smith
Source:
Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
The music of trumpeter, composer and resolute individualist Wadada Leo Smith is absorbing. It often has a demanding density even when he is the only player—as he is in one of these albums. It can bring rewards to the listener who accepts Smith’s free jazz heritage and listens to him with open ears and open mind. As in his recent tribute to America’s national parks, his paean to Miles Davis, duets with pianist Vijay Iyer and a succession of other ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Wadada Leo Smith's birthday today!
ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH trumpet-player, multi- instrumentalist, composer and improviser has been active in the creative contemporary world music for over thirty years. His theory of Jazz and World music was significant in his music development as an artist and educator. Born in Leland, Mississippi, Smith\'s early musical life began in the high school concert and marching bands. At the age of thirteen... Read more.
Place our Musician of the ...
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Photos
Music
Inspiration Opus #1
From: Eyes On The HorizonBy Wadada Leo Smith
One Hundred Dreams Part 1
From: Hyaku: One Hundred DreamsBy Wadada Leo Smith
The Patriot Act
From: The Emerald DuetsBy Wadada Leo Smith
String Quartet Nov. 1, Movement 1
From: String Quartets Nos. 1-12By Wadada Leo Smith
Social Justice – A Fire for Reimagining the World
From: Sacred CeremoniesBy Wadada Leo Smith
Amina Claudine Myers
From: TrumpetBy Wadada Leo Smith
Monk and His Five Point Ring at the Five Spot Cafe
From: Solo: Reflections and...By Wadada Leo Smith
Najwa
From: NajwaBy Wadada Leo Smith
South Central L.A. Kulture
From: Spiritual DimensionsBy Wadada Leo Smith
Videos
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Wadada Leo Smith
Instrument: Trumpet
Born: December 18, 1941
Publicist: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
