Wadada Leo Smith, born on December 18, 1941, in Leland, Mississippi, is a renowned trumpeter, composer, and educator whose work has made a profound impact on the world of creative music. Starting his musical journey in the rich traditions of the Delta Blues, Smith went on to define his music as “Creative Music,” centered on spiritual harmony and addressing social and cultural issues. He is best known for developing Ankhrasmation, a symbolic language for music performance that has influenced his compositions and been featured in exhibitions at prestigious museums. Smith’s diverse discography includes compositions inspired by the civil rights movement, as seen in his Pulitzer Prize-nominated work Ten Freedom Summers. He has received numerous awards, including the Doris Duke Artist Award and the UCLA Medal, and has collaborated with legendary musicians like Anthony Braxton, Roscoe Mitchell, and Vijay Iyer. In addition to his prolific recording career, Smith has taught and inspired generations of musicians, holding faculty positions at several renowned institutions, including the California Institute of the Arts.