Wadada Leo Smith, Maggie's Garden, BOBCAT, Banana Puddin' 22

Jazz, that creative source of music inspired by life's totali-ty of experiences by the ances-tors both in Africa and America, is constantly being reconfigured into a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds.

- RONALD E. SCOTT

The trumpeter, composer, and visual artist Wadada Leo Smith has created a vivid perspective on the oneness of music and art with his current exhibit "The Language of Ankhrasmation" at the American Academy of Arts and Letters (Audubon Terrace, on Broadway between 155th and 156th Streets), now through July 3.

Smith's concept of Ankhrasmation was 50 years in the making: He wrote that first score in Chicago in 1965. The term Ankhrasmation represents a diasporic concept with meaningful layers. The beginning, "Ankh," is derived from the Egyptian hieroglyph, symbolizing life. The word "Ras" is Ethiopian and means head or head creator. The word "Ma" is the basic sound of all the planet.

"Ankhrasmation is the life force of mother and father, who generate everything on the planet, and I thought I would name my language after this general process. I was looking for something but didn't know what it would be until I found it," explained Smith in an interview with Geeta Dayal. "... the sound-rhythm beyond is what I'm after through this precious and glorious art of the Black man."

Smith's colors boldly speak out (similar to his trumpet solos), adding a bright exuberance to the written scores. The colors, like his music, encompass a historical, cultural, social, and mythical elements of Ankhrasmation. Some of his images, particularly the booklets that reflect some of his works from 2023-24, are multi-dimensional, with art structures and shapes, sound music, and the concept of literature with poetry.

This is an inspiring exhibit that has been running for a few months and spilled into Black Music Month. Smith's Ankhrasmation explicitly expands the concept of Black music in all directions.

For times, visit artsandletters.org or call 212-368-5900.