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" All art is political. Yes. Even the stuff that sounds like bubble-gum songs. I think all art is, by nature, intended to motivate society for change, and the only reason change doesn't happen is because within the target population, courage is lacking. "

Wadada Leo Smith

Courage

Nature

Art

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" The only thing that makes change possible is the idea of developing some kind of institution, because the institutions will survive individuals. "

" I think all art is, by nature, intended to motivate society for change, and the only reason change doesn't happen is because within the target population, courage is lacking. "

" Everything and anything is valuable. "

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" From now back to the past, we can observe clearly that none of us is free. "

Wadada Leo Smith

Back

Past

" There's nothing unnatural in creation. "

" I don't set out to win awards. I don't think any musician does, but when you receive an award, it's an affirmation: it means that people appreciate what you do. "

" When you live in the South, you're constantly part of the civil rights movement. "

" I started composing when I was around 13, and back then, people used to say that I needed to be a composer or a performer, but I can't be good at both of them. I could never understand why anyone would say that. Jellyroll did both, Bessie Smith did both, and so did I. "

" I write all the time. I always have. I can pick up my horn to warm up, and an idea will pop into my head, and I'll write it down and file it away for another time. "

" I wanted to identify that the black experience is American experience. "