
Wadada Leo Smith’s Radio Light & Orange Wave Electric
“One of the most boldly original and influential artists of his time.” – Jazz Right Now
Composer, trumpeter and author Wadada Leo Smith is one of the creative music world’s most heralded artists. Born December 18, 1941 in Leland, MS, he grew up steeped in the musical traditions of the South performing in Delta Blues and other traditional bands, eventually moving to Chicago where he joined the legendary AACM collective. Smith defines his music as “Creative Music,” and his diverse discography reveals a recorded history of music centered in the idea of spiritual harmony and the unification of social and cultural issues of his world.
The final program of his weekend-long CREATE program, Wadada Leo Smith’s boundless creativity shines in two electrifying ensembles. Radio Light delivers No. 1 Fall (Ankhrasmation Music), bringing Smith’s groundbreaking scores to vivid life with dynamic, spontaneous interplay. As part of Sunday’s performance, Orange Wave Electric will power through Fire Illumination and Obama On The Bridge, weaving bold trumpet lines with a surge of electric soundscapes. Together, these performances showcase Smith’s unmatched ability to shape music that is both deeply personal and endlessly forward-looking.