SPS Stories
Faculty Spotlight
Immanuel Wilkins
Adjunct Instructor
Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies
Immanuel Wilkins Discusses "Liberation Music"
Fast Facts
- His debut album, Omega, was released on August 7th, 2020 from Blue Note Records
- His work is inspired by exploring ideas of blackness, spirituality, and relationships
<p><span class="p-body">On June 26, 2020, alto saxophonist, composer and adjunct instructor of jazz studies at NYU SPS <a href="https://store.bluenote.com/products/immanuel-wilkins-omega?srsltid=AfmBOoqg9NR4gkM5PTu7h8ADDkwFmpg2RthPCGtsLeBuW3F3-SJElhn6" target="_blank" title="Immanuel Wilkins released his new single, Warriors">Immanuel Wilkins released his new single, <i>Warriors</i></a>—a piece about “friendships, family, your hood, and your community.”</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">"It's about us serving as warriors for whatever we believe in,” explains Wilkins. The single previewed his debut album, Omega, which was released on August 7th, 2020 from Blue Note Records. In more ways than one, the album is very timely. </span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Omega balances the joy and celebration expressed in <i>Warriors </i>and becomes an expansive meditation on the Black experience in America. Naturally, the inspiration for most of Wilkins' work generally comes from exploring ideas of blackness, spirituality, and relationships. He is highly interested in creating new realities and new worlds through sound.</span></p>
Liberation and Actualization through Jazz
<p>"One thing that I heard filmmaker Arthur Jafa say, is that Afro-American music is so special because it gives us the opportunity to see Black folk fully actualized," shared Wilkins. "This really resonated with me and liberated my way of thinking in terms of what I create. I'm honored to be a part of a lineage with so many amazing artists who were tremendously individual."</p>
<p>Wilkins refers to his music as liberation music—a blueprint of where we are socially, politically, historically. "It's music that teaches us fundamentals about humanity. It's an interesting time to put out music, but I'm sure to never lose sight of the fact that there is always a hunger for art," he explained.</p>
Teaching While Doing
<p>According to Wilkins, he considers it a true honor to teach at NYU. "This was a dream school of mine, so having the opportunity to work with the students is a real pleasure," he says. "I've always been passionate about teaching, and it was great to have space to imagine a course in the way I saw most beneficial for the students. My biggest goal in the classroom was to provide some mind blowing information every class, just as my greatest teachers did for me."</p>
<p>But that doesn't mean he doesn't stay busy and fulfilled outside the classroom. He is still very much an artist and musician. "In a parallel universe, I would be touring with the band playing the music on the album…I have some large projects/commissions coming up that I'm really excited for—new music, collaborating with people I really admire. So, soon to come."</p>
<p>The <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ba-in-social-sciences.html" title="BA in Social Sciences">BA in Social Sciences</a> from NYU SPS can open doors that you may have never imagined were possible. See where you can start the next chapter of your career with a degree from the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-applied-undergraduate-studies.html" title="Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies">Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies</a>.</p>
