"Barack Hussein Obama at Selma: The Bridge of Transformation” is the fourth movement from Wadada Leo Smith’s Sapphire Symphony – The Presidents and Their Vision for America. Sapphire Symphony No. 4 is the fourth in his 4-CD box set The Chicago Symphonies featuring Smith's Great Lakes Quartet.

This track features Wadada Leo Smith’s Great Lakes Quartet:
Wadada Leo Smith - trumpet
Jonathon Haffner - alto and soprano saxophones
John Lindberg - double bass
Jack DeJohnette - drums


The Chicago Symphonies represents another magnificent four-disc collection of extended compositions by composer, musician, artist and educator Smith leading his Great Lakes Quartet in a celebration of Chicago and the rich contributions of the Midwestern artistic, musical and political culture to the United States of America. The first three symphonies, “Gold,” “Diamond” and “Pearl” are performed by Smith with three other contemporary masters of creative music, saxophonist/flutist Henry Threadgill, bassist John Lindberg and drummer Jack DeJohnette. The fourth, “Sapphire Symphony – The Presidents and Their Vision for America,” features saxophonist Jonathon Haffner with Smith, Lindberg and DeJohnette.

“The idea of a symphony composed for a sextet was first presented by composer/ performer Don Cherry in his classic recording Symphony For Improvisers in 1966,” says Smith. “I have broadened this idea to include the social, political and psychological dynamic into the creative space. My Chicago Symphonies are intended to illustrate and preserve the powerfully unique cultural contribution that the Midwesterners made in helping to shape the American society.”

Wadada Leo Smith - Movement 4: Barack Hussein Obama at Selma: the Bridge of Transformation

Braithwaite & Katz