Composer and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith will present “44 Years: Retrospective” featuring 12 ensembles and video, April 21-26 at the Stone, located at Ave. C and E. 2nd Street in New York City. All shows cost $20.

A press release gives the following details:

“Smith will performs a wide range of music from all phases of his career. The series begins with Structure A, on Tuesday, April 21st and Wednesday, April 22nd. On Tuesday, April 21st at 8 p.m. Smith performs solo in Creative Music 1 and in Sonic River featuring Smith, alto saxophonist John Zorn and trombonist George Lewis. At 10 p.m. Smith performs Divine Love with vibraharpist Bobby Naughton and reedman Dwight Andrews. On Wednesday, April 22nd, Smith talks about his music philosophy and language at 7 p.m. The Nile featuring Smith and sound designer Hardedge takes place at 8 p.m. Tastalun follows at 10 p.m. featuring Smith with cornetist Graham Haynes and trumpeter Ted Daniel.

“Structure B encompasses the music on Thursday and Friday. Thursday, April 23rd showcases Taif: Prayer In The Garden of The Hijaz, String Quartet No. 6 featuring The Secret Quartet with violinists Jennifer Choi and Neil Dufallo, cellist Yves Dharamraj and violist Lev Zhurbin + Smith on trumpet and Aruán Ortiz on piano. The Black Hole / Silence follows at 10 p.m. featuring Smith with electric bassist Bill Laswell, pianist Yuko Fujiyama, electric guitarist Henry Kaiser and sound designer Hardedge. Friday, April 24th begins with Mbira: Dark Lady of the Sonnets featuring Smith with Min Xiao Fen on pipa and Pheeroan akLaff on drums at 8 p.m. followed at 10 p.m. by Celebratory: Ornette - Coltrane – Shannon with Smith, electric guitarists Brandon Ross and Lamar Smith, electric bassist Bill Laswell and drummer Pheeroan akLaff.

“Structure C encompasses the final two nights of performances. Saturday, April 25 features The Blue Mountain's Sun Drummer with Smith and percussionist Mauro Refosco at 8 p.m. followed at 10 by Ten Freedom Summers with The Golden Quartet (Smith, pianist Anthony Davis, bassist John Lindberg and drummer Pheeroan akLaff) + video artist Jesse Gilbert. Sunday, April 26 features a 7 p.m. talk by Smith about his music philosophy and language. The Bell follows at 8 p.m. with Smith, pianist Aruán Ortiz, bassist William Parker and percussionist Adam Rudolph. The evening concludes at 10 p.m. with America’s Third Century Spiritual Awakening / The Year of The Elephant The Golden Quintet (15 years: Retrospective) featuring Smith with pianist Anthony Davis, bassist John Lindberg, drummer Pheeroan akLaff and percussionist Adam Rudolph + video artist Jesse Gilbert.”

For more information, visit The Stone.