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3 unusual facts about Wadada Leo Smith


Leo Smith

Wadada Leo Smith (born 1941), American avant-garde jazz trumpeter and composer

Tadao Sawai

Sawai worked with a number of Western musicians, including Wadada Leo Smith and also released a CD of himself playing Jazzy Bach on the Koto.

Tyshawn Sorey

He has recorded or performed with musicians including Wadada Leo Smith, Steve Coleman, Joey Baron, Muhal Richard Abrams, Pete Robbins, Vijay Iyer, Dave Douglas, Butch Morris, Sylvie Courvoisier, Steve Lehman, and Anthony Braxton, among many others.


Cristian Amigo

He worked as a session guitarist with artists including Hans Zimmer, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Les Hooper, Wadada Leo Smith, David Ornette Cherry, Justo Almario, Toni Childs, and others.

Johnnie Valentino

He has recorded with contemporary improvisers such as Pat Martino, Alex Acuna, Alan Pasqua, Kermit Driscoll, Billy Drewes, Mick Rossi, Vinny Golia, Bob Sheppard, Wadada Leo Smith, Michael Pedicin, Erik Friedlander, Mike Sarin, Bennie Maupin, Gerry Hemingway, Oscar Brashear, Luis Conte, Alphonso Johnson, Russ Johnson, Andy Lester, Andrew Sterman, Jim Ridl & Justin Faulkner.

Society for the Activation of Social Space through Art and Sound

To date, more than 40 concerts have been presented including performances by Pauline Oliveros, James Tenney, Nels Cline, Petra Haden, Wadada Leo Smith, Phil Cohran, Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarman, Harold Budd, Glenn Branca, Tetuzi Akiyama and many others.


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