Imani Winds
Imani Winds is a Grammy Award-winning American wind quintet based in New York City, United States. The group was founded by flutist Valerie Coleman in 1997 and is known for its adventurous and diverse programming, which includes both established and newly composed works. The word Imani means "faith" in Swahili. They are also active commissioners of new music with the intent of introducing more diverse composers to the wind quintet repertoire.
Overview
The name "Imani Winds" was chosen by Coleman before she formed the quintet. She viewed it as a vision of what the quintet could mean to African-American and other underrepresented communities. Coleman wanted to form a chamber group to highlight the work of underrepresented composers and performers. Therefore, the group's initial members were all of African American and Latino ancestry. The group first included Valerie Coleman on flute, Toyin Spellman-Diaz on oboe, Monica Ellis on bassoon, Mariam Adam on clarinet, and Jeff Scott on french horn. In 2016 replaced Mariam Adam, in 2018 Brandon Patrick George replaced Valerie Coleman, in 2021, Kevin Newton replaced Jeff Scott, and in 2025, Mekhi Gladden replaced Toyin Spellman-Diaz.The group has released nine CDs. Their first CD on a major label, The Classical Underground, was released in January 2005 and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006. Their 2023 album Passion for Bach and Coltrane, a multimedia collaboration with poet A. B. Spellman, won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium.
In 2001 they won the Richard S. Weinert Award for Innovation in Classical Music from the Concert Artists Guild. In 2002, they won the CMA/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming and the CMA/WQXR Recording Award for their first album Umoja.
In 2006 & 2009, they performed with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, in the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, in the summer series.
In 2007, they won the ASCAP Concert Music Award.
Imani Winds have toured throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and participated in Chamber Music Society Two, a professional residency program of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. In addition, Imani has toured internationally and recorded with saxophonist Steve Coleman, performed with pop recording artists Morley, and opened for Cassandra Wilson and Wynton Marsalis. They have performed with several notable jazz musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Steve Coleman, Paquito D'Rivera, and Steffon Harris. They have appeared on radio programs including Saint Paul Sunday, Performance Today, Performance Today, ''News & Notes, The Bob Edwards Show, and The World''.
Legacy Commissioning Project
Imani Winds began the Legacy Commissioning Project in 2008 with the intention of commissioning and premiering ten new works for wind quintet by composers of color and diverse backgrounds over a five-year period. The group has continued to commission and premiered more works after the initial five-year time frame, and the group has continued their original intent to introduce more diverse composers to the standard wind quintet repertoire.Commissions
Discography
Source:| Year | Title | Label |
| 2002 | Umoja | Imani Winds |
| 2005 | The Classical Underground | Koch International Classics / Koch |
| 2006 | The Imani Winds | Koch International Classics / Koch / Koch International |
| 2007 | Josephine Baker: A Life of le Jazz Hot! | eOne / Koch / Koch International Classics |
| 2008 | This Christmas | Koch / Koch International / Koch International Classics |
| 2010 | Terra Incongnita | E1 Entertainment |
| 2013 | Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring | EMI Classics |
| 2016 | Startin' Sumthin' | eOne |
| 2021 | Bruits | Bright Shiny Things |
| 2023 | Passion for Bach and Coltrane | Imani Winds Media Production |
With 'Steve Coleman
- 1999 –
- 2008 –
- 2012 -
- 2013 –
- 2013 –
- 2018 – ''Sorrows & Triumphs''
Listening
- , June 8, 2005
- , February 22, 2006
- , May 23, 2006
- , June 11, 2007
Video
Category:Musical groups established in 1997
Category:Chamber music groups
Category:African-American musical groups
Category:Musical groups from New York City
Category:Wind quintets
Category:Grammy Award winners