Check out our sophomore release on KOCH International Classics.

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Again the music of Jeff Scott and Valerie Coleman is celebrated. A standout of the disc is the original composition, Titilayo, by Jeff, which is a call-and-response fanfare followed by an atypical groove in 5/4.

The IW classic, Umoja, is remixed with added percussion and also featured is a VColeman arrangement of the jazz standard Afro Blue, where the ensemble performs in a way that a wind-quintet has never done before.

Also Jeff has arranged two standard Piazzolla masterpieces for the quintet…Fuga y Misterio and the haunting milonga, Oblivion.

Also featured on the disc is a sparkling arrangement of the modern classic, Le Tombeau de Couperin by the impressionistic master Maurice Ravel as well asCinco Danzas Breves, by Mexican born composer Mario Lavista.

Listen to excerpts from Imani Winds.

Titilayo by Jeff Scott

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Umoja by VColeman (featuring Rolando Morales-Matos, percussion)

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Fuga y Misterio by Astor Piazzolla arr. Jeff Scott

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GRAMMY nominated in 2005, in the “Best Classical Crossover Album” category, TCU is a unique blend of classical, world and jazz music that is a reflection of the innovative direction chamber music has taken.

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This entire disc features music that has never before been recorded by a woodwind quintet…featuring our in-house composers, Jeff Scott and Valerie Coleman, whose works have become staples of the Imani Winds repertoire and the woodwind quintet at large.

Highlights of The Classical Underground are VColeman’s Afro-Cuban Concerto for Wind Quintet and her arrangement of the traditional spiritual, Steal Away. Also featured is Jeff Scott’s original composition, Homage to Duke, a piece that celebrates the sacred music of Duke Ellington as well a turbo charged arrangement of the masterpiece, Libertango, by Astor Piazzolla.

Collaborators are our old friends Rene Marie and Rolando Morales-Matos.

Also the listener will hear the entire seven movement work of the legendary musician, Paquito D’Rivera, Aires Tropicales, that has an extra special Jeff Scott arrangement of the last movement that features voice and percussion!! To round out the disc, we recorded the great Lalo Schifrin’s La Nouvelle Orleans.

Listen to excerpts from The Classical Underground.

Concerto for Wind Quintet – Danza by VColeman

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Libertango by Astor Piazzolla arr. by Jeff Scott

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Stay tuned for Imani Winds new album coming out early fall 2010.

The new CD of Jazz legends will feature special commissioned works by Paquito D’Rivera, Jason Moran and Wayne Shorter. Special guest artist Paquito D’Rivera on clarinet and Alex Brown on piano! Some of the newest and most amazing works to be added to the chamber music wind repertoire.

NEW RELEASE, FEATURING THE HOT, HIT SINGLE “BRING A TORCH”!…

This is a lively, not-your-average holiday CD with an all-star cast and original material. From traditional treatments of Sleigh Ride and The Holly and the Ivy, to gospel-tinged arrangements of Go Tell It on the Mountain and Silent Night, This Christmas with Imani Winds is a collection of thirteen yuletide favorites with the spirit and elegance that define Imani Winds.

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Once again, the unique sound of Imani Winds is manifested through the pen of our in-house composers, Valerie Coleman and Jeff Scott, with most of the arrangements being done by them. Our old friend, John Clark, contributed his incredible arranger skills to two of the tracks.

We also enlisted help from other incredible musicians to add that extra special touch to this project. Also featured is Jason Moran, piano; James Genus, bass; Nate Smith, drums; Javier Diaz, percussion.

We’re convinced this album will be enjoyed for many years to come. And they make perfect socking stuffers!

Listen to some excerpts from This Christmas

Silent Night arr. VColeman (featuring our guest rhythm section)

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Sleigh Ride arr. Jeff Scott (featuring our guest percussionist)

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Home > Our Music > This Christmas with Imani Winds

Josephine Baker: A Life of Le Jazz Hot!, celebrates the life and sprit of the great performer, activist, mother and icon, Josephine Baker. The music is the SOUNDTRACK to the multi-media live show that was produced by Imani Winds. The entire disc is music completely composed and arranged by IW members, Valerie Coleman and Jeff Scott.

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Imani Winds collaborated, once again, (the first time was on The Classical Underground), with Rene Marie and percussionist, Joe Tompkins, to bring to life the essence and soul of “La Baker” as told through this musical tribute. The two in-house composers have contributed to virtually the entire discography of Imani Winds, with various styles and musical hues, however telling Josephine’s story – was the most important aspect of this project.

Jeff’s arrangements of several of Baker’s iconic cabaret tunes, performed with Rene, bring a delightful, lighthearted and very much jazz influenced feel to the fore and allow for the listener to relive her heyday as the sensual figure she was. Also, Jeff’s seven movement original suite, La Belle Sirène Comme le Comedienne, was written to accompany scenes from two of Baker’s films, La Sirène des Tropiques and Princesse Tam Tam, which are shown during the live show.

IW’s bassoonist Monica Ellis puts down her usual instrument and contributes on the soprano saxophone for several of the pieces!

Contrastingly, Valerie’s score, Portraits of Josephine Baker, more abstractly depicts the sights and sounds from Ms. Baker’s life – from her upbringing in St. Louis, to her voyage to Paris, to her fall from grace in her mismanaged chateau, to a simple yet gorgeous arrangement of her signature song, J’ai Deux Amours. During the show, the stunningly beautiful dancer, Rachael Ashley, dances to Valerie’s music to tell the story that much more.

This album is in honor of Josephine Baker: a woman who has changed many lives. Thank you, Josephine, for changing ours.

Many heartfelt thanks to Jean-Claude Baker, Josephine’s son and author ofJosephine Baker: The Hungry Heart, for sharing his wisdom and insight. With the help of Neil Barclay, director of Pittsburgh’s August Wilson Center for African-American Culture, Mona Smith and composer Fred Ho, the idea of A Life of Le Jazz Hot! was born and fully realized. The stage production was made possible by director Bobbi Williams and stage manager, Michelle Giancola, costume designer Lumiere, choreographer Christopher Huggins, and film editor Melissa Ulto. We cannot offer enough thanks to the following folks who brought the music to another level – percussionist Joe Tompkins, dancer Rachel Ashley, and last but certainly not least, the incomparable vocalist René Marie.

Listen to excerpts…

Mambo by Jeff Scott

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Paris 1925 from Portraits of Josephine Baker by VColeman

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Don’t Touch My Tomatoes arr. Jeff Scott (featuring Rene Marie)

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Home > Our Music > Josephine Baker: A Life of Le Hot Jazz

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FEATURING THE TITLE TRACK “UMOJA” – IMANI WINDS’ SIGNATURE PIECE

In 2002, we self-produced and self-funded our first CD, Umoja, which means “unity” in Swahili. This disc continues to represent the diverse repertoire Imani Winds offers.

PURCHASE UMOJA at CD Baby

This award winning and ground-breaking disc features music from the standard repertoire with pieces by Francaix and Villa-Lobos, modern day classics by Astor Piazzolla and Paquito D’Rivera that represent classical music’s Latin revolution, and the soulful sounds of IW’s very own Valerie Coleman.

As the first of several projects, this is a must have for any IW’s fan!  

Listen to an excerpt from Umoja…

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson arr. VColeman

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