Immanuel Wilkins Blues Blood

Alto saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins, winner of the German Jazz Prize 2024 in the “Live Act of the Year International” category, returns with his third album for Blue Note Records. His debut for the label, “Omega,” named #1 jazz album of 2020 by the New York Times, brought him worldwide attention and recognition for his playing and unusually complex compositions.

Wilkins describes his new work “Blues Blood” as being inspired by his childhood in the Philadelphia area. It was co-produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, with Micah Thomas on piano, Rick Rosato on bass, Kweku Sumbry on drums and vocalists Ganavya, June McDoom and Yaw Agyeman, as well as guest appearances by singer Cécile McLorin Salvant, guitarist Marvin Sewell and drummer Chris Dave.

“Blues Blood” is Wilkins' most ambitious album to date, as well as an accessible, spiritual work about memory, the legacy of our ancestors and the bloodlines that connect people.