Imani Winds to Tread New Territories for 2005-06 Season
True to its founding mission since 1997, the African American/Latino woodwind quintet Imani Winds continues to push new cultural and musical bounds in the upcoming season with a highly anticipated second Koch International Classics release featuring deeply personal repertoire -- classical and others inspired by South American and African rhythms; a full concert and residency schedule; and a multidisciplinary project entitled Josephine Baker -- A Life of Le Jazz Hot, which surveys the life and arts of the “Black Venus” from St. Louis who became an European cultural icon in first part of the 20th century.
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 28, 2006
True to its founding mission since 1997, the African American/Latino woodwind quintet Imani Winds continues to push new cultural and musical bounds in the upcoming season with a highly anticipated second Koch International Classics release featuring deeply personal repertoire -- classical and others inspired by South American and African rhythms; a full concert and residency schedule; and a multidisciplinary project entitled Josephine Baker -- A Life of Le Jazz Hot, which surveys the life and arts of the “Black Venus” from St. Louis who became an European cultural icon in first part of the 20th century.
Praised by Gramophone and Essence Magazine for “taking the wind quintet where it rarely ventures,” Imani Winds’ 2005 breakthrough recording The Classical Underground (Koch International Classics) successfully introduced the unique Imani style of classical music, one that’s infused with cultural references, effortless elegance and profound honesty. Its equally representative follow-up (yet to be titled), also from Koch International Classics, is scheduled for release in January 2006. The repertoire ranges from Maurice Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin to Astor Piazzolla’s Fuga e Misterio, among Titilayo by Jeff Scott, French hornist and resident composer of Imani Winds; Cinco Danzas Brevas by Mario Lavista; Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla, arranged by Jeff Scott; Umoja by Valerie Coleman, also resident composer and flutist of the Ensemble; and Afro Blue by Mongo Santamaria, arranged by Valerie Coleman.
The other highlight of the season is the momentous Josephine Baker - A Life of Le Jazz Hot in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Baker’s birth in 2006. Inspired by Ms. Baker’s pioneer spirit, Imani Winds conceptualized this three-segment, multi-faceted presentation in part as a reflection of its own uphill journey as an African-Americans/Latino wind quintet in the predominantly Euro-Asian classical music world. Entitled “Journey across the ocean,” “Elements of success,” and “Continuous rebirth,” each section comprises of American and French repertoire of Josephine Baker’s era, as well as renowned jazz vocalist René Marie singing signature works of Josephine Baker, film footage with original music, solo dance works choreographed by Christopher Huggins with original music by Valerie Coleman, and excerpts from Fred Ho’s Angels from the Rainbow commissioned by Imani Winds. The U. S. premiere takes place at Pittsburgh’s Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre of the African American Cultural Center in April 2006, followed by two additional engagements at University of Washington in St. Louis and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On the concert front, Imani Winds traverses much of the United States in 2005-06, with highlights in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Denver, and St. Louis. They continue to be a presence at Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, this year participating in an all-Legati program at Alice Tully Hall in New York.
The past summer brought the Ensemble multiple engagements with the Florida International Festival, as well as critically acclaimed concerts in Vancouver, Canada. The Group’s education outreach programs are also immensely popular with presenters and audiences alike, making them regulars among schools in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Virginia.
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