It took barely one album to establish Immanuel Wilkins as one of contemporary jazz’s foremost voices. He signed with Blue Note at 21, and his debut Omega (2020) was named the best new jazz release by The New York Times and the best debut album by NPR.
The Philadelphia-born alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer was soon compared to Coltrane and free-form lyricist Ornette Coleman — and played solos that led critics to write about a reincarnation of Ben Webster. But with each album, his own distinct voice has grown clearer. The 7th Hand (2022) stepped out into modern spiritual jazz. Blues Blood (2024) deepened the expression with songs about ancestry, inherited pain and the blues as a means of expression.
In March 2026, Wilkins released the first volume of Live At The Village Vanguard — recorded at one of jazz’s most hallowed addresses. A live suite in three parts from a quartet named best international live act by the Deutscher Jazz Preis. Four musicians with individual chops at a ridiculous level, surrendering to the collective. With jazz alchemist Wilkins at the helm, they fuse spiritual narrative jazz, angular free jazz and soft gospel melodies. He has already sold out Fasching twice. Now, Immanuel Wilkins returns with his most ambitious project yet.
