During these tumultuous times for people of color, in particular in America, I have been pondering about how we can show some support. As my encounter with Wadada Leo Smith and talking with him about his views as an artist was very affirming and inspiring, I am hoping that with this short film I can contribute a little bit and pass on some of his inspiring ideas.
It was a huge pleasure for me to spend a day with him in Berlin last November. He’s one of the truly great composers and performers, and I felt honored to have recorded an extensive conversation with him, of which this short film presents some of my highlights. He talks about recording with and for ECM (obviously), but also about what being an artist means to him (one of my favorite topics in many of my films).
Watch the short documentary on Vimeo or on YouTube.
Also, a couple of weeks ago, I edited this kind of different short film about Marilyn Crispell, filmed during an afternoon in and around Woodstock.
