Since storming onto the jazz scene with his debut album, Omega, which was named the #1 Jazz Album of 2020 by The New York Times, Immanuel Wilkins’ star has steadily been rising. His sophomore album on Blue Note, “The 7th Hand” is a seven-movement suite of original compositions designed to be performed as a continuous listening experience.
I caught up with Immanuel after his album release concert at Harlem Stage. He was joined by Micah Thomas on piano, Tyrone Allen on Bass, and DC's own Kweku Sumbry on drums. The quartet started off with his soul-stirring composition, "Emanation", and the crowd was instantly captivated. It truly felt like a divine portal had been opened up between the earthly realm and the supernatural.
"The 7th Hand" is entirely improvised and is based on the biblical number 6, representing the extent of human possibility. It explores the idea of there being a 7th element that invokes the power of divine intervention through the music. I sat down with Immanuel for an "artimate" conversation on his humble musical beginnings to being apart of a group of millennials that are the newest wave of modern day masters on the Blue Note label.
Check out the full episode of Artimacy honoring the culmination of Black History Month, and the beginning of Women’s History Month. It features a playlist full of feel good music celebrating the black experience and our influence on the world of music, and highlights a few women that are making their mark.
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