The creator of deep ocean jazz epics – this is the eloquent phrase that the prestigious music portal “Pitchfork” launched into the world, presenting the young generation alto saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins. And certainly not in vain! This musician brings a fresh approach to jazz and proves that the layers of creativity are far from exhausted.
The title of the best saxophonist
I. Wilkins started his musical career in his native Philadelphia. The first encounters with music in the life of this young man took place in the church of the local community, whose vaults were pierced by the gospel rising from God. Later, I. Wilkins continued his musical pursuits in the Philadelphia “Clef” jazz and performing arts club organized by the African-American community.
in 2015 fresh out of high school, I. Wilkins was captivated by New York, which never sleeps. The young man who went to the megalopolis with a huge concentration of artists continued his studies at the Juilliard School. Walking the wide avenues of the Big Apple every day, I. Wilkins crossed paths with one of today’s most prominent trumpeters and composers, Ambrose Akinmusire, who became the young man’s guide to the amazingly wide world of jazz.
For the kid from Philadelphia, the fateful acquaintance was not only with A. Akinmusire, but also with pianist Jason Moran, who suggested that I. Wilkins, who plays the alto saxophone, join his series of concerts dedicated to the legendary pianist Thelonious Monk.
New York and the acquaintances made there became a career springboard for a young man from Pennsylvania who mastered the saxophone. Wilkins soon began collaborating with Solange Knowles, Gretchen Parlato, Wynton Marsal, Gerald Clayton, Aaron Parks, Joel Rosso, and others. the most famous representatives of jazz.
The talent and recognition of I. Wilkins is perfectly illustrated by the 2023 edition of the cult jazz magazine DownBeat. for a triple honor: he was chosen as the best alto saxophonist of the year, won the emerging composer award, and his quartet was recognized in the category of emerging group of the year.
Jazz Album of the Year
Working to help other musicians with their creative drive did not allow I. Wilkins to fully feel the fullness of his soul. Turning to the circle of his closest friends in New York, he assembled a quartet that delighted music lovers all over the world. And how won’t it make you happy when the brightest personalities of the young generation are in the recording studios and on the stage: Kwek Sumbry, a drummer who admires the West African rhythmic heritage and a member of the band of one of the best US pianists of his generation, Cyrus Chestnut, post-bop enthusiast, talented double bassist Daryl Johns, and masterfully combining tradition and modernity, pianist Micah Thomas playing with the cult Billy Drummond or the free jazz sensation Zoh Amba.
in 2020 The quartet led by I. Wilkins released their debut album “Omega”. After the prestigious Blue Note campaign, which once released John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and a bunch of other jazz Mohicans, the winged album caused a real storm in the ranks of jazz lovers.
The opus of modern mainstream jazz with strong post-bop influences made more than one heart beat faster. “Omega” revealed I. Wilkins not only as an excellent alto saxophonist, but also as a suite-minded composer, whose music’s prevailing lyricism, bright melodies, and carefully created narrative lines are expertly connected with energetic avant-garde improvisational passages.
New York Times Best of 2020 “Omega”, selected as a jazz album, opened the door for I. Wilkins to the jazz elite. Concerts at major festivals, praise from music critics, records being swept off the shelves of music stores. I. Wilkins experienced all this, but he did not sleep on the mountain covered with laurels.
in 2022 presented the second album of his quartet, “The 7th Hand”, with which he entered an even more mature, intimate stage of his work. In the album created on the principle of a suite, the composer examines the human relationship with religion, the recesses of existence between being and non-being, in which many references to I. Wilkins’ personal experiences can be read. And the musical side of the album reveals an even stronger desire to connect with one’s roots – African-American musical traditions – and a much more obvious shift towards spiritual jazz aesthetics.
Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, youthfully energetic, but especially mature, comes to Vilnius to demonstrate their jazz vision. Visions in which breaking away from tradition rises to new heights!
May 26 at 7 p.m. At the final concert of “Vilnius Mama Jazz” in LNDT New Hall, the emerging young generation experimental music duo “Keista bjauri žuvis” will also perform.
The festival is financed by the Lithuanian Culture Council and Vilnius City Municipality.
Tickets are distributed by kakava.lt
Tags: creator jazz epics Wilkins present latest album Vilnius Mama Jazz stage
-
