Acclaimed musician Wadada Leo Smith, known for his expertise in both composition and trumpet playing, to be honored with UCLA's prestigious medal.
Wadada Leo Smith to Receive UCLA's Highest Honor
Wadada Leo Smith, an American trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, is set to receive UCLA's highest honor - the UCLA Medal. This prestigious award is given to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to society or UCLA.
Born on December 18, 1941, in Leland, Mississippi, Smith has made a significant impact on the world of jazz music. Over the past five decades, he has been a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Music collective.
Smith's extensive discography includes more than 50 albums as a leader on various labels such as ECM, Moers, Black Saint, Tzadik, Pi Recordings, TUM, Leo, and Cuneiform. His work exemplifies the fertile intersection of theory and creativity.
One of his most notable works is the 2012 civil rights opus "Ten Freedom Summers," which was called "A staggering achievement [that] merits comparison to Coltrane's A Love Supreme in sobriety and reach." In 2017, Smith topped three categories in the DownBeat International Critics Poll: Best Jazz Artist, Trumpeter of the Year, and Jazz Album of the Year.
Smith's 2016 recording, "America's National Parks," earned a place on numerous best of the year lists. His String Quartet No. 9, movement 3 Angela Davis, and one movement from his String Quartet No. 11, movement 5, UCLA Music Library will be performed during his residency at UCLA.
The ceremony will be followed by a concert featuring Smith's music. An excerpt from his Four Symphonies will feature Smith on trumpet, with UCLA professor Nina Sun Eidsheim on vocals and California Institute of the Arts professor Vicki Ray on piano.
Reservations for Smith's event at UCLA will open the week of October 20. Smith will be in residence at the school of music beginning Nov. 4, where he will be presenting a series of events on campus. The UCLA Medal Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 in the Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center Ensemble Room at UCLA.
Smith's most recent recording is 2019's "Rosa Parks: Pure Love, an Oratorio of Seven Songs." The Jazz Journalists Association honored Smith as their 2017 Musician of the Year and 2017 Duo of the Year for his work with Vijay Iyer. Smith has also been recognized for his groundbreaking body of work, receiving the 2016 Doris Duke Artist Award, an honorary doctorate from CalArts, and the 2016 Mohn Award for Career Achievement from the Hammer Museum at UCLA.
Smith's event at UCLA promises to be a memorable occasion, showcasing the talents of a true jazz legend.
- Attendees of Wadada Leo Smith's event at UCLA may find entertainment in the concert following the UCLA Medal Ceremony, which will likely include an excerpt from Smith's Four Symphonies.
- In addition to being a distinguished composer and jazz musician, Wadada Leo Smith is also recognized for his contributions to education-and-self-development, as seen in his residency at UCLA and his work with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Music.
