Wadada Leo Smith
Curated by DARKSIDE
A lot sets Wadada Leo Smith apart from other trumpet players. For starters, there’s his distinctive dry tone; but, also, the musician is unafraid to lean into silence, or leaping into abrupt strokes of color. The Mississippi avant-garde trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, creative composer slash performer, and author began tempering with the instrument early on and composed his first piece at the ripe age of twelve. Smith is not only a respected music player but his philosophical perspective on jazz has also proven to be extremely influential. Namely, with the creation of Ankhrasmation, a symbolic image-based language for performers and musicians, he has helped to redefine the genre not only for himself but others.
Photography by Michael Jackson
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