Saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins is one of the most compelling voices in contemporary jazz. His music radiates empathy, conviction, and spiritual depth. melodies that breathe, lament, and soar in equal measure. Born and raised in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, Wilkins first encountered music in his community church before studying jazz at the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts in Philadelphia. He went on to refine his craft at the Juilliard School under Bruce Williams, Steve Wilson, and Joe Temperley.
As a teenager, Wilkins performed the national anthem before a Philadelphia Eagles game, and by his early twenties he was leading his own band, performing original compositions at New York venues such as The Jazz Gallery, Smoke, and Smalls. In 2020, he released his acclaimed debut album Omega. named The New York Times’ #1 Jazz Album of the Year. introducing a remarkable quartet with Micah Thomas (piano), Daryl Johns (bass), and Kweku Sumbry (drums).
With his stunning follow-up The 7th Hand, Wilkins expands that vision into a transcendent seven-part suite exploring the boundary between human expression and divine inspiration. Blending intricate rhythmic architecture with fearless improvisation, Wilkins and his ensemble become vessels for something beyond themselves. transforming each performance into a profound act of musical communion.
Alongside his quartet, Wilkins also performs with Dezron Douglas, Johnathan Blake, Philip Dizack, and Noam Wiesenberg, and has contributed to recordings by Good Vibes, Kalia Vandever, and the charity project A Philly Special Christmas Party (2024).
