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.
Read moreTags
Album Review
- Sun Beans Of Shimmering Light by John Sharpe
Radio
Album Review
History of Jazz
Album Review
- Rosa Parks: Pure Love. An Oratorio of Seven Songs by Giuseppe Segala
- Burning Meditation by John Sharpe
- Rosa Parks: Pure Love by Jerome Wilson
- Rosa Parks: Pure Love. An Oratorio of Seven Songs by John Sharpe
- Rosa Parks: Pure Love. An Oratorio of Seven Songs by Doug Hall
- Rosa Parks: Pure Love by Karl Ackermann
December 18, 2020
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
December 18, 2019
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
December 18, 2018
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
March 28, 2018
Iconic Composer And Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith Presents 2nd Annual...
January 20, 2018
Recent Listening In Brief: Two From Wadada Leo Smith
December 18, 2017
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
March 20, 2017
Wadada Leo Smith Presents The Create Festival, April 8 & 9, 2017 In New...
December 18, 2016
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wadada Leo Smith
November 01, 2016
Wadada Leo Smith Is Recognized As A National Treasure And His New...
February 24, 2016
ECM Records Releases Vijay Iyer / Wadada Leo Smith's "A cosmic rhythm...
Photos
Albums
Rosa Parks: Pure Love
From: Rosa Parks: Pure LoveBy 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
Dred Scott: 1857
From: Ten Freedom SummersBy Wadada Leo Smith
South Central L.A. Kulture
From: Spiritual DimensionsBy Wadada Leo Smith