Alto saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins, winner of the German Jazz Prize 2024 in the “Live Act of the Year International” category, returns with his third album for Blue Note Records. His debut for the label, “Omega,” named #1 jazz album of 2020 by the New York Times, brought him worldwide attention and recognition for his playing and unusually complex compositions.

Wilkins describes his new work “Blues Blood” as being inspired by his childhood in the Philadelphia area. It was co-produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, with Micah Thomas on piano, Rick Rosato on bass, Kweku Sumbry on drums and vocalists Ganavya, June McDoom and Yaw Agyeman, as well as guest appearances by singer Cécile McLorin Salvant, guitarist Marvin Sewell and drummer Chris Dave. 

“Blues Blood” is Wilkins' most ambitious album to date, as well as an accessible, spiritual work about memory, the legacy of our ancestors and the bloodlines that connect people.

Tracklist:
A1. MATTE GLAZE (4:26)
A2. funmi (0:09)
A3. MOTION (featuring June McDoom) (5:32)  
A4. EVERYTHING (featuring Esi Sumbry, Ganavya) (6:06) 
B1. air (interlude) (0:39) 
B2. DARK EYES SMILE (featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant) (6:03) 
B3. APPARITION (6:38)
C1. assembly (interlude) (0:52)
C2. AFTERLIFE RESIDENCE TIME (8:40)
C3. MOSHPIT (3:21)
D1. set! (interlude) (0:21)
D2. IF THAT BLOOD RUNS EAST (featuring Yaw Agyeman, Chris Dave) (3:04)
D3. your memory (interlude) (0:51)
D4. BLUES BLOOD (10:51) 

Immanuel Wilkins: Alto Saxophone, Synthezier, Voice
June McDoom: Vocals / Micah Thomas: Piano / Rick Rosato: Bass / Kweku Sumbry: Drums / Yaw Agyeman: Vocals / Ganavya: Vocals / Esi Sumbry: Voice / Cécile McLorin Salvant: Vocals / Marvin Sewell: Guitar / Michael Olufunmilola Ononaiye: Spoken Word
Produced by Meshell Ndegeocello and Immanuel Wilkins