Ars Nova Workshop presents world-renowned saxophonist Walter Smith III and his trio at Solar Myth on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Hailing from the musical hotbed of Houston, Texas, saxophonist and composer Walter Smith III developed under the wings of many of the music’s greats. Smith has been a member of several legendary groups, including the Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band, the Terence Blanchard Quintet, Eric Harland’s Voyager, the Bill Stewart Trio, Jason Moran’s In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall, the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, the Christian McBride Situation and Marquis Hill’s New Gospel Revisited to name a few.

Smith’s latest release for Blue Note Records, Twio Vol. 2, is a welcome sequel to his acclaimed 2018 outing, in which he delved into classic jazz repertoire with an all-star chordless trio. He’ll celebrate the album’s release at Solar Myth with the stellar rhythm section of bassist Harish Raghavan (Ambrose Akinmusire, Tyshawn Sorey) and drummer Savannah Harris (Christian McBride’s Ursa Major, Kenny Barron).