*Includes a 80 pages booklet.* The trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith from Leland, Mississippi, started his career in the late sixties as a member of the legendary jazz trio Creative Construction Company, which also included Leroy Jenkins and Anthony Braxton, and has since advanced to become one of the most renowned representatives of contemporary (avant-garde) jazz - with more than thirty album releases to date. On the occasion of the 80th birthday of the internationally renowned composer and trumpeter in December, the Finnish label TUM has already released the two box sets "Trumpet" and "Sacred Ceremonies", TUM has already impressively demonstrated the artistic relevance of this exceptional musician, and now follows up with "The Chicago Symphonies" and "A Love Sonnet For Billie Holiday", the next two new releases in this anniversary series. The 4-CD box set "The Chicago Symphonies" presents four symphonies composed by Wadada Leo Smith especially for the Great Lakes Quartet. He was inspired by Don Cherry and his 1966 classic "Symphony For Improvisers", whose artistic approach he transferred to the present and expanded with additional social and political aspects. On "Gold Symphony", "Diamond Symphony" and "Pearl Symphony" W. L. Smith is accompanied by Henry Threadill (saxophone / flute), John Lindberg (bass) and Jack Dejohnette (drums), while on "Sapphire Symphony - The Presidents And Their Visions Of America", a tribute to Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, the saxophone parts were taken over by Jonathon Haffner.