In Conversation with Dr. Charles Joseph Smith at the Chicago Humanities Festival — Photo Highlights
A Retrospective on Musician Charles Joseph Smith
On his career, his Sooper Records release, and the DIY spirit
About The Event
A conversation with Chicago-based musician Dr. Charles Joseph Smith as he discusses his life and work, and the foundational importance of DIY as a sociocultural refuge for artists and creators of all stripes. In his self-published autobiography, The 88 Keys that Opened Doors, Charles chronicles a life in which music has been the primary key to overcoming immense challenges posed by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This Autism Awareness Month, Chicago indie label Sooper Records will release the first retrospective collection of Charles’s work, a 90-minute album titled Collected Works and War of the Martian Ghosts. This is the definitive collection of his original recordings — though it would be impossible to ever encompass the galaxies of music, poetry, and prose penned by the prolific Charles Joseph Smith. Plus, Sooper is making his autobiography widely available for the first time to coincide with the release.
Charles Joseph Smith is a Chicago‑based pianist, composer, arranger, writer, and dancer known for his work in both classical and experimental music, as well as his active presence in the local arts community. Smith has released a range of recordings spanning avant‑garde, jazz, and electroacoustic styles, and he has published an autobiography detailing his artistic journey and experiences as a person living with autism. His creative work and community involvement have made him a recognizable figure in Chicago’s DIY and experimental arts scene.
Links:
Charles Joseph Smith
Bankcamp: https://charlesjosephsmith.bandcamp.com/music
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlessmith702210/
Chicago Humanities:
Official: https://www.chicagohumanities.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagohumanities/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chihumanities/
Sooper Records:
Official: https://www.sooperrecords.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sooperrecords
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sooperrecords/
Check out great live photos here!
