It felt not exactly like a celebration. Avant patron saint Wadada Leo Smith didn't say he was more concerned with healing this afflicted world than with shining a light on his eight decades of creativity; his trumpet and his sympathetic cohorts conveyed the message without words.
The 38-minute stream began with artful black-and-white footage of Smith alone on a wooden porch 50 years ago, feeling out the corners of his horn with whispering, noteless breath. The rest comprised three selections by his trio/quartet and one by pianist Sylvie Courvoisier.
Face framed by a mass of brown curls reminiscent of Smith's dreadlocks, Courvoisier stretched inside her piano to manipulate the strings for vaporous effects, then explored the whole range of the keyboard, from spattering highs to melodic mids to volcanic lows. The liquid quality of her touch expressed a connection to nature, while the quickness of her transitions added a birdlike alertness and mobility. This musician has learned from Wadada; a more appropriate tribute couldn't be hoped for.
Smith has frequently chosen Pheeroan AkLaff as drummer, and AkLaff once again demonstrated the wisdom of that choice in group settings. Whether using feet, sticks or fuzzy mallets, AkLaff maintained a close connection to the generative earth, pulling gently on Smith's sky-searching flights. Pianist Erika Dohi played off Smith's spontaneous, often atonal improvisations from an appropriate distance, keeping it simple and melodious while adding ringing or smoky atmospherics on synthesizer. Joining in for one number on electric guitar, Wadada's grandson Lamar Smith showed a dark tone and a scrambling improvisational imagination. When Wadada stepped back, the others loaded us up for leisurely space-shuttle rides.
Wadada was the riveting but humble center. Bowing to the floor, eyes closed, he virtually disappeared into clearly inscribed horn statements that seemed to be coming through him from above, sometimes embellishing them with flutters and needlepointed highs.
Not quite calm, Smith emanated a gratitude that did not preclude mourning. Any serious Archer might celebrate just this way.
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These performances remain available for free viewing here.