Immanuel Wilkins

Immanuel Wilkins is an acclaimed American alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator whose music blends deep spiritual intent with modern jazz innovation. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Wilkins began his musical journey in church before honing his skills at the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts. At just 12 years old, he performed the U.S. National Anthem at a Philadelphia Eagles game—a sign of the prodigious talent to come.

In 2015, Wilkins moved to New York City to study at The Juilliard School under esteemed saxophonists Bruce Williams, Steve Wilson, and Joe Temperley. While still a student, he quickly became an in-demand sideman, performing internationally and collaborating with leading artists including Jason Moran, Wynton Marsalis, Solange Knowles, Bob Dylan, Joel Ross, Aaron Parks, Gerald Clayton, Gretchen Parlato, Delfeayo Marsalis, and the Count Basie Orchestra.

Wilkins leads a long-standing quartet with Micah Thomas (piano), Daryl Johns (bass), and Kweku Sumbry (drums), a group praised for its cohesion, adventurous spirit, and emotional depth. His work as a composer has been commissioned by The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, The Jazz Gallery Artist Residency, and The Kimmel Center, often integrating music with dance, film, and visual art.

Signed to Blue Note Records, Wilkins has released three critically acclaimed albums as a leader:

Omega (2020) – Named the #1 Jazz Album of the Year by The New York Times, exploring themes of Black trauma, faith, and resilience.
The 7th Hand (2022) – A seven-movement spiritual suite culminating in a 26-minute improvisation, earning widespread praise and top spots on international jazz polls.
Blues Blood (2024) – Co-produced with Meshell Ndegeocello, this ambitious work blends jazz, spoken word, and ensemble improvisation, featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant and Ganavya.

His accolades include Alto Saxophonist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association (2025), multiple honors in the DownBeat Critics Poll, and the German Jazz Prize for Best International Live Act (2024).

Wilkins approaches music as a vessel for collective expression, drawing on the African American experience, Black spirituality, and the transformative power of improvisation. With his singular tone, conceptual vision, and fearless creativity, he continues to shape the future of jazz.