The Imani Winds

Sponsored by the Patricia Noethe Pierce Visiting Artists in Residence Fund.
Celebrating over a quarter century of music making, the four-time Grammy-nominated group has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through its dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Recent and upcoming projects include a new double quintet by Arturo Sandoval, featuring Boston Brass; a Jessie Montgomery composition inspired by her great-grandfather’s migration from the American south to the north; and a work by Carlos Simon celebrating iconic figures of the African American community. These commissioned works and more are a part of the long-standing Legacy Commissioning Project. Reflecting on the issues of mass incarceration, Imani Winds 11th studio recording, “BeLonging” by and with Andy Akiho, was released in June 2024 and is nominated for a 2025 Grammy award.
Twenty-seven seasons of full-time touring has brought Imani Winds to virtually every major chamber music series, performing arts center and summer festival in the U.S. The musicians regularly perform in prominent venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center and have a presence at festivals such as Chamber Music Northwest, Chautauqua Institution and Banff Centre.