Walter Smith III has built a catalog of original jazz compositions centered on his leadership albums spanning from 2014 through 2023. His compositional work emphasizes sophisticated harmonies and boundary-pushing approaches, featured on releases including his self-released debut still casual and his Blue Note albums return to casual with nine original works. Smith co-leads and composes with collaborators including Jason Moran, Eric Harland, and Reuben Rogers, while also working with Ambrose Akinmusire, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Herbie Hancock. His writing represents a contemporary approach to creating original material that references jazz tradition while advancing improvised music.
