Second Show: Immanuel Wilkins & Lutosławski Quartet
Special Engagement
Immanuel Wilkins “embodies contemporary jazz at its most thrilling.” – MOJO
The music of saxophonist/composer Immanuel Wilkins is filled with empathy and conviction, bonding arcs of melody and lamentation to pluming gestures of space and breath. Listeners were introduced to this riveting sound on Wilkins’ acclaimed debut Omega, which was named the #1 Jazz Album of 2020 by The New York Times. On his stunning sophomore album The 7th Hand, the Brooklyn-based, Philadelphia-raised artist’s “ocean-deep jazz epics” (Pitchfork) explored relationships between presence and nothingness across an hour-long suite.
This Festival performance marks the Canadian premiere of a new Immanuel Wilkins piece written for the Lutosławski Quartet and commissioned by Jazztopad Festival / National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. An ensemble of versatile and open-minded artists, Roksana Kwaśnikowska violin, Marcin Markowicz violin, Artur Rozmysłowicz viola, and Maciej Młodawski cello blend contemporary repertoire with gems from classical, Romantic, and jazz music. Founded in 2007, the Lutosławski Quartet is one of Europe’s foremost contemporary classical string quartets, specializing in the music of their namesake, Witold Lutosławski, as well as works by Bacewicz, Szymanowski, and the group’s own Marcin Markowicz.
About the Piece: Ethnic Cleansing — An American Tradition
This piece is dedicated to the people of Palestine who have faced a systematic forced displacement from their homeland, as well as the recent flood of deportations performed by the US Government. It explores the idea that Sandi Hilal speaks of in her essay “Permanent Temporariness”, called “al masha”, referring to group land cultivation in order to prevent their land being illegally seized by settlers. This piece is about constantly living on the edge of life and death.
Additional support is provided by the Polish Cultural Institute New York, National Forum of Music – Poland, and the Western Front.
Discounted tickets are available for students, artists and those who are unable to afford full price. Select “Discount Pricing” tickets at checkout.
This venue does not have an elevator. For accessibility information and seating please contact: [email protected]
