Wadada Leo Smith is an avant-garde jazz musician, composer, educator and visual artist, celebrated for his creative and unconventional approach to music. Over the past 50 years, a focal point of his practice has involved the ongoing research and development of his own musical language, which he calls Ankhrasmation: a neologism formed from the terms ‘Ankh,’ the Egyptian symbol for life, ‘Ras,’ the Ethiopian word for leader, and ‘Ma,’ a universal term for mother. This language is characterized by musical scores that avoid (and at times, incorporate) traditional notationsin favor of symbolic compositions of color, line, and shape. Improvisational elements of jazz are woven into Smith’s colorful pieces, some of the scores taking up to several days to perform. These vibrant constructions are filled with energy and mystery, providing creative guidance for the seasoned improviser while allowing musicians to bring their own expertise and strengths to their performance.