Imani Winds

Imani Winds is an 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 programming, which includes newly composed works, as well as compositions featuring African, Latin American, and American influences.[1]

Imani Winds
OriginNew York City, United States
GenresClassical, Chamber music, Jazz, Latin
Years active1997 – present
LabelsKoch Int'l Classics/Koch Entertainment
Websitewww.ImaniWinds.com
MembersBrandon Patrick George, flute
Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe
Mark Dover, clarinet
Jeff Scott, French horn
Monica Ellis, bassoon
Past membersValerie Coleman, flute, Mariam Adam, clarinet

Overview

They have presented premieres by composers including Paquito D'Rivera, Mohammed Fairouz, Wayne Shorter, Richard Wernick, Fred Ho, Kenji Bunch, and Bruce Adolphe.[2]

The group has released four CDs. Their first CD on a major label, The Classical Underground (Koch Entertainment), was released in January 2005 and was nominated for a Grammy award in 2006.[3]

Imani Winds have toured throughout the United States and Canada, and participated in Chamber Music Society Two, a professional residency program of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.[4] 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.[5] They have appeared on radio programs including Saint Paul Sunday,[6] Performance Today,[7] News & Notes,[8] The Bob Edwards Show,[9] and The World.

The group's members are of African American and Latin American ancestry, and the name Imani means "faith" in the Swahili language. The group consists of five musicians with Valerie Coleman on flute, Torin Spellman-Diaz on oboe, Monica Ellis on bassoon, Mariam Adam on clarinet, and Jeff Scott on french horn.

In 2001 they won a scholarship with the Concert Artists Guild.

Awards history

Grammy
  • Career Wins:
  • Career Nominations: 1[10]
Imani Winds Grammy Awards History
Year Category Genre Title Label Result
2006 Best Classical Crossover Album Classical The Classical Underground Koch Int'l Classics Nominated

Honors

Valerie Coleman composed a piece for the symphonic winds of Roma High School called "Roma" dedicated to the students of Roma High School, Texas. She composed it in the summer of 2009 and the recording was available to the Audience in spring of 2010.

Discography
Year Title Genre Label Notes
2010 Terra Incognita Contemporary Classical E1 Entertainment
2007 Josephine Baker: A Life of Le Jazz Hot! Cabaret tunes Koch Int'l Classics
2006 Imani Winds Jazz Koch Int'l Classics
2005 The Classical Underground Classical Koch Int'l Classics
2002 Umoja Classical Self-Produced featured original works by flutist Valerie Coleman

With Steve Coleman

  • 1999 – The Ascension to Light

With Brubeck Brothers Quartet

  • 2008 – Classified

References
  1. "Imani Winds". Imani Winds. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  2. "Imani Winds". Kennedy-center.org. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  3. "Complete List Of 2006 Grammy Nominees". Music-slam.com. 2005-12-08. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  4. "The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center | About CMS » CMS Two Alumni". Chambermusicsociety.org. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  5. "Imani Winds". Kennedy-center.org. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  6. "Saint Paul Sunday: Imani Winds plays Haas, del Aguila". Saintpaulsunday.publicradio.org. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  7. "Jeremy Denk and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra". Yourclassical.org. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  8. "Classical Chamber Music Ensemble Imani Winds". NPR. 2006-05-23. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  9. "Forthcoming on The Bob Edwards Show — Bob Edwards Radio". Bobedwardsradio.com. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  10. "ASCAP Members Receive Multiple Nominations for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards". Ascap.com. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  11. "Peter Schickele Hosts 8th Annual ASCAP Concert Music Awards in New York City". Ascap.com. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  12. "Ascap "Adventurous Programming" Awards Presented At Chamber Music America Conference". Ascap.com. 2005-01-18. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-08-20. Retrieved 2007-03-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Listening

Video
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