Immanuel Wilkins

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 7, 1997, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins was immersed in African-American music from an early age, and turned to the saxophone at an early age. He took classes at the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, then studied at the Juilliard School in New York with Bruce Williams, Steve Wilson and Joe Temperley. He formed his own band and performed in New York clubs such as The Jazz Gallery, Smoke Jazz & Supper Club and Smalls Paradise, before signing with the Blue Note label for his debut album Omega (2020), recorded by Jason Moran with partners Micah Thomas, Daryl Johns and Kweku Sumbry. They are also featured on the more experimental and deeply spiritual The 7th Hand (2022). Meanwhile, Immanuel Wilkins is involved in a variety of projects, from sessions for Orrin Evans, Johnathan Blake, Swizz Beatz, Joel Ross, Joe Farnsworth, Ben Wolfe, Michael Feinsberg, Cautious Clay and Kenny Barron to band activity with The Generation Gap. He is invited to play for Meshell Ndegeocello, who produces his third album Blues Blood (2024), a partly vocal album with contributions from Cecile McLorin Salvant, Ganavya and June McDoom.