Biography
Alto saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins grew up in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. After he graduated high school, Wilkins moved to New York City in 2015 to attend The Juilliard School. In the city, he met trumpeter and composer Ambrose Akinmusire, who mentored Wilkins and helped him navigate the jazz scene. He also met a musician who would change his professional life, Jason Moran, the prominent pianist and composer who took the young saxophonist on tour. In what was one of Wilkins’ biggest gigs to date, he played alto in Moran’s “In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall, 1959,” a series of live performances honoring the great legacy of jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. Wilkins has since worked with a diverse range of artists including Solange Knowles, Gretchen Parlato, Wynton Marsalis, Gerald Clayton, Aaron Parks, and Joel Ross, making a striking appearance on the vibraphonist’s 2019 Blue Note debut KingMaker.
Releases
Live At The Village Vanguard, Vol. 2 - Immanuel Wilkins
Live At The Village Vanguard, Vol. 1 - Immanuel Wilkins
Motion II - Out Of/Into
Motion I - Out Of/Into
Blues Blood - Immanuel Wilkins
Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen
The 7th Hand - Immanuel Wilkins
Omega - Immanuel Wilkins
Videos
Immanuel Wilkins: NPR Tiny Desk Concert
Immanuel Wilkins “MATTE GLAZE” (Official Video)
Immanuel Wilkins “First Look” With Don Was
Immanuel Wilkins “Blues Blood” (Album Trailer)
Immanuel Wilkins at PhilaMOCA | NPR Jazz Night In America
Immanuel Wilkins “First Look” With Don Was
IMMANUEL WILKINS “EMANATION/DON’T BREAK” (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Immanuel Wilkins: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Immanuel Wilkins “First Look” with Don Was
SPOTLIGHT
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IMMANUEL WILKINS QUARTET: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD
By Tina M. Campt When Immanuel Wilkins asked me to pen liner notes for his new live album, my immediate answer was: “You had me at liner.” I had seen a glorious set he played with Kenny Barron at the Village Vanguard a year before, where one of his solos has left me feeling like I’d heard the reincarnation of Ben Webster. But there’s something about the Vanguard that does that to you.... read more
OUT OF/INTO “MOTION I”
By Evan Haga The history of Blue Note Records — jazz’s preeminent record label, and one of the most storied imprints in all of music — is defined by a seamless blend of tradition and innovation. From the advent of hard bop to the label’s knack for elevating the greatest young talent in jazz, the Blue Note story has unfolded over the past 85 years with equal regard for jazz’s past and... read more
IMMANUEL WILKINS “BLUES BLOOD”
By Marcus J. Moore You don’t appreciate growing up until you look in the mirror and notice something’s different. Though maturing in itself is the act of physical and hormonal evolution, it’s not until you’re in a foreign city, eating something an elder used to cook to see how it compares, that you long for yesteryear. You start to miss that rickety screen door and the couch that no... read more
IMMANUEL WILKINS “THE 7th HAND”
The music of saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins is filled with empathy and conviction, bonding arcs of melody and lamentation to pluming gestures of space and breath. Listeners were introduced to this riveting sound with his acclaimed debut album Omega, which was named the #1 Jazz Album of 2020 by The New York Times. The album also introduced his remarkable quartet with Micah Thomas on... read more
IMMANUEL WILKINS “OMEGA”
When Immanuel Wilkins created the music for “Mary Turner - An American Tradition,” one of many standout songs from his stellar debut album, Omega, he wanted to craft something that spoke directly to the Black experience in America. Wilkins, an alto saxophonist and bandleader from Upper Darby, Pa., wasn’t thinking about anything positive, he wanted to convey the deep pain his people have... read more
News
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IMMANUEL WILKINS RELEASES “LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD, VOL. 2”
GRAMMY-nominated alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins has released Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live At The Village Vanguard, Vol. 2, the second installment of a searing 3-volume document of his acclaimed quartet in action at the hallowed NYC jazz shrine. Vol. 1 was released last month on LP, CD, and digital formats. Vol. 2... read more
ANNOUNCING “IMMANUEL WILKINS QUARTET: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD”
GRAMMY-nominated alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins has announced his first-ever live album, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet: Live At The Village Vanguard, a searing 3-volume document of his acclaimed quartet in action at the hallowed NYC jazz shrine. Vol. 1 will be released March 20 on LP, CD, and digital formats followed by... read more
Out Of/Into Share New Single “Familiar Route”
On Dec. 5, Blue Note Records will release Motion II by Out Of/Into featuring pianist Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer. The all-star collective—which was initially founded as the Blue Note Quintet in celebration of the label’s... read more
CONGRATS 2026 GRAMMY NOMINEES: BRANFORD MARSALIS, IMMANUEL WILKINS & GERALD CLAYTON
Congratulations to our Blue Note nominees for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards! Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Branford Marsalis – Belonging The saxophonist’s Blue Note debut is a full album interpretation of Keith Jarrett’s 1974 ECM album of the same name featuring Marsalis’ longtime quartet with pianist Joey... read more
OUT OF/INTO TO RELEASE “MOTION II” ON DEC. 5
Blue Note Records has announced the December 5 release of Motion II by Out Of/Into featuring pianist Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer. The all-star collective—which was initially founded as the Blue Note Quintet in celebration... read more
OUT OF/INTO RELEASE NEW SINGLE “GABALDON’S GLIDE”
The Blue Note Records story has unfolded over the past 85 years with equal regard for jazz’s past and its future, a seamless blend of tradition and innovation, and a mission to elevate the greatest young talent in jazz. Out Of/Into, the all-star collective that began its life earlier this year as the Blue Note... read more
ANNOUNCING “MOTION I” BY OUT OF/INTO FEATURING GERALD CLAYTON, JOEL ROSS, IMMANUEL WILKINS, KENDRICK SCOTT & MATT BREWER
The history of Blue Note Records is defined by a seamless blend of tradition and innovation. From the advent of hard bop to the label’s knack for elevating the greatest young talent in jazz, the Blue Note story has unfolded over the past 85 years with equal regard for jazz’s past and its future. Out Of/Into, the... read more
IMMANUEL WILKINS SHARES “DARK EYES SMILE” FEATURING CÉCILE McLORIN SALVANT
Immanuel Wilkins has shared “DARK EYES SMILE” featuring vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, a poignant new song from the acclaimed saxophonist and composer’s highly anticipated third studio album Blues Blood out Oct. 11. A meditative offering co-produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, the album features Wilkins’... read more
IMMANUEL WILKINS ANNOUNCES “BLUES BLOOD” OUT OCT. 11
On October 11, acclaimed saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins will release his expansive third studio album Blues Blood, a meditative offering co-produced by Meshell Ndegeocello that features his quartet with Micah Thomas on piano, Rick Rosato on bass, and Kweku Sumbry on drums; vocalists Ganavya, June McDoom,... read more
THE BLUE NOTE QUINTET TO EMBARK ON 2024 TOUR IN CELEBRATION OF BLUE NOTE’S 85th ANNIVERSARY
The Blue Note Quintet—an all-star collective comprised of Blue Note recording artists pianist and musical director Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, and drummer Kendrick Scott, as well as bassist Matt Brewer—will embark on an extensive North American tour next month in... read more
Live Dates
Jul 18
Immanuel Wilkins
The Jazz Cafe, London United Kingdom
