Wadada Leo Smith & Tyshawn Sorey

Journalist and music critic Larry Blumenfeld (Wall Street Journal, Chamber Music Magazine) sits down with legendary trumpeter and composer Wadada Leo Smith and genre-defying composer Tyshawn Sorey. The discussion delves into the deep connections between sound and silence, the evolution of “creative music,” and the social and political impact of their work.


Smith reflects on his early influences, his revolutionary compositional language, and the powerful legacy of Ten Freedom Summers, while Sorey shares insights into his Pulitzer-winning compositions and his exploration of spontaneous creation. Together, they discuss their unique approaches to composition, performance, and collaboration.

Om Podcasten

Big Ears: Conversations About Music is a podcast that brings together cutting-edge musicians, journalists, and community leaders in discussions about the creative process, collaboration, and the transformative power of music. Big Ears: Conversations About Music will offer one-on-one talks between artists, roundtables and interactions with fans offering a behind-the-scenes look at the stories and connections that make Big Ears one of the world’s most unique festival experiences.