Words matter. These are the best Wadada Leo Smith Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
When Barack Obama was elected, it immediately brought out all the differences in society.
I’m an optimist. I have always been, and I will continue to be. So I believe there’s always a possibility of transforming or changing or doing something different.
I think all art is, by nature, intended to motivate society for change, and the only reason change doesn’t happen is because within the target population, courage is lacking.
We have these old fashioned ideas. For instance, here in America, we talk about democracy – but we don’t have a democracy. There are elements of a democracy.
I don’t set out to win awards. I don’t think any musician does, but when you receive an award, it’s an affirmation: it means that people appreciate what you do. Every award I have received is a confirmation of something I have done, and that motivates me to push a little harder.
I’ve got that Beethoven energy, that Stravinsky energy. And it’s all a gift from the Creator.
There’s nothing unnatural in creation.
Seeing the bigger picture opens your eyes to what is the truth.
From now back to the past, we can observe clearly that none of us is free.
I always felt of myself as a composer, performer, improviser. I’ve never called myself a jazz man. I make art.
I have been in dialogue with my family about what can actually be done. We’ve come up with this philosophy that in a truly multicultural society, the only way to have liberty and justice for everybody is to have multiple parties. And by multiple parties, I mean 50 parties, not one or two.
The artist is the consciousness of society… but musicians’ role is very special.
The only thing that makes change possible is the idea of developing some kind of institution, because the institutions will survive individuals.
Everything and anything is valuable.
My solo playing utilizes the deployment of suggestive psychic rhythms. I’ll state these throughout a given piece and play thematic improvisations on top of that. I like to suggest that rhythmic movement without always playing it. I like to create openings that I can step into.
