Search - Imani Winds (wind quintet) :: Umoja

Imani Winds is the first every classically based woodwind quintet made up of musicians of African-American and Latino heritage. Their music directly reflects the unique combination of this cultural background and the rich tradition of Westeren classical music. The debut album of Imani Winds begins with their signature piece written by the founder and fluist, Valerie Coleman, "Umoja", which means unity in Swahilli, and continues to take the listenter on an exciting journey through a new take on the standard quintet repertoire. Highlights of the album include Paquito D'Rivera's "Wapango", with guest artist, Rolando Morales-Matos on bongos; the standards by Villa-Lobos and Francaix; new arrangements of pieces by the jazz French Hornist John Clark and the king of the tango, Astor Piazolla; and finally arrangements of traditional Black Spirituals, that truly take the listener back to the roots of African-American people. Imani Winds' Umoja offers a classical and contem! porary music experience like no other.