Smith, Wadada Leo
Cuneiform Records, 2021, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 27.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 79
O’s Notes: Wadada Leo Smith is a free jazz trumpeter who at 79 years old hasn’t lost a beat! Trumpet is a more relaxed outing (for Smith) recorded in a fifteenth century church (St. Mary’s) in Pohja, Finland. Many times we find solo instrumentalists, and horn players in particular, practicing with their case open for donations on the street. Some of the music is inspiring but the rest of it, questionable. In this case we have a formidable trumpeter performing with a bit more structure and tremendous presence, yet he remains spontaneous. The results are free jazz, solo trumpet at its best. Of note is the 5-part “Rashomn” on the first of three discs including 28 titles.
Publicist: Braithwaite & Katz
