Saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins weighs in on a huge range of subjects for this Jazz Takes episode, from his favorite clubs and seated versus standing audiences to vintage saxophones, jazz fashion, and the enduring power of “Careless Whisper.”

His week as Resident Artistic Director during the SFJAZZ 2025-26 Season included a performance of his SFJAZZ commission “Recitations” with guests Amina Claudine Myers and Marvin Sewell, taped on March 27, 2026.

The concert is available on-demand on the SFJAZZ At Home app.

About Immanuel Wilkins:

Alto saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Immanuel Wilkins is one of the vital voices of jazz in the 21st century. A native of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, he has worked with a range of artists including Wynton Marsalis, Joel Ross, Solange, and Gerald Clayton. His Blue Note debut Omega took the #1 spot on The New York Times’ list of Best Jazz Albums of 2020, and his most recent album, Blues Blood, was released in 2024.

His week as Resident Artistic Director included the world premiere of his SFJAZZ commission Recitations, with his quartet and special guests including Amina Claudine Myers, Marvin Sewell, and saxophone legend David Murray.

His quartet is a marvel of telepathic communication and masterful musicianship, featuring pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Ryoma Takenaga, and Oakland-born drummer Savannah Harris is a major force in jazz today, with Thomas a mainstay of the saxophonist’s live performance and recording ensembles since his 2020 Blue Note debut Omega.