Wadada Leo Smith, Ed Blackwell

An adventurous trumpeter, Wadada Leo Smith is one of the most innovative composers and musical theorists to emerge from the 1960s jazz vanguard. His systemic musical language Ankhrasmation began development in 1965 and has informed each project since. During the '70s Smith showcased it on self-issued recordings from his Kabell label, including 1972's Creative Music -- 1 (Six Solo Improvisations) and 1975's Reflectativity, and on 1978's Divine Love and 1993's Kulture Jazz, both on ECM. Smith released acclaimed recordings for Tzadik during the 1990s including Tao-Njia and Red Su...