Philadelphia-born Immanuel Wilkins is one of the international jazz scene’s most exciting and celebrated alto saxophonists and composers.
With a tone and flow that is an alloy of a post-bop Wayne Shorter, Immanuel Wilkins’ own idol John Coltrane and the free-form lyricist Ornette Coleman, Wilkins writes and plays a strong, spiritual narrative jazz in the wake of these musicians.
Immanuel Wilkins started playing violin at the age of three, piano at five. At the age of seventeen, he began studying at the Juilliard School in New York. At 21, he got a record deal with Blue Note and the debut Omega was praised by, among others, the New York Times, which named it the jazz record of the year.
The sequel The 7th Hand was released in 2022 and meant further steps into Wilkins’ jazz space. After extensive touring in 2022 and 2023, Immanuel Wilkins won three of Downbeat’s critics’ awards: for best alto saxophonist and two Best Rising awards for best composer and best group.
Two years ago, Immanuel Wilkins ended the Stockholm jazz festival with a packed and acclaimed concert at jazz club Fasching. Now he is back to inaugurate the festival with largely the same quartet, new bassist named Rick Rosato.
It is one of contemporary jazz’s most exciting pipe players who once again takes place with his quartet at Kungsgatan 63.
Immanuel Wilkins – altsaxofon,
Micah Thomas – piano,
Rick Rosato – bas,
Kweku Sumbry – trummor
About Stockholm Jazz Festival
Stockholm Jazz Festival is one of Sweden’s largest and oldest festivals and takes place between 11 and 20 October 2024. This year’s festival presents big names such as Bill Frisell, Sona Jobarteh and The Headhunters. Stockholm Jazz Festival is an indoor festival that houses over fifty stages every year and is visited by around 30,000 Stockholmers during its ten days. Read more about the festival at stockholmjazz.se
