Sunday, May 14, 2023 | 5:30 pm

Imani Winds

The Mity Clarke Gann Memorial Concert & The David & Barbara Rodbell Kornblatt Commissioning Fund

Location: Shriver Hall

Celebrating 25 years of music-making, the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet. Hailed as “dazzling” and “exhilarating” by The Washington Post, the Quintet’s program draws on Yoruban, Hindustani, South American, and jazz traditions, and features the world premiere of a new piece from Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient Carlos Simon.

“the ensemble’s hot rapport churns with conviction throughout…” – Gramophone

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Imani Winds

Celebrating over two decades of music making, the twice Grammy nominated Imani Winds has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The ensemble’s playlist embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, and as a 21st century group, Imani Winds is devoutly committed to expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from new voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently live. Present and future season performances include a Jessie Montgomery composition inspired by her great-grandfather’s migration from the American south to the north, as well as socially conscious music by Andy Akiho, designed to be performed both on the concert stage and in front of immigrant detention centers throughout the country. 

Imani Winds regularly performs in prominent international concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Hall and the Kimmel Center. Their touring schedule has taken them throughout the Asian continent, Brazil, Australia, England, New Zealand and across Europe. Their national and international presence include performances at chamber music series in Boston, New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Philadelphia and Houston. Festival performances include Chamber Music Northwest, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Ravinia Festival, Chautauqua, Banff Centre and Angel Fire.

In 2021, Imani Winds released their latest album, “Bruits” on Bright Shiny Things Records, which received a 2022 Grammy nomination for “Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.”  Gramophone states, “the ensemble’s hot rapport churns with conviction throughout.” In 2016, Imani Winds received their greatest accolade in their 20 years of music making: a permanent presence in the classical music section of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC.

The group's website is imaniwinds.com.

“the ensemble’s hot rapport churns with conviction throughout…” —Gramophone

Mongo Santamaría (1922-2003)

Afro Blue (arr. Valerie Coleman)

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Jason Moran (b. 1975)

Cane

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Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)

Trio for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon

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Carlos Simon (b. 1986)

'Giants' for Wind Quintet (World premiere, SHCS co-commission)

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Miguel Del Aguila (b. 1957)

Quintet No. 2

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Program Subject to Change Without Notice