Imani Winds

The Imani Winds quintet has gained wide recognition for innovative programming that includes commissioned works with African American and Latin American elements as well as traditional wind repertory. The Imani Winds were formed in 1997. As of the mid-2020s, the group's members were flutist Brandon Patrick George, oboist Toyin Spellman-Diaz, clarinetist Mark Dover, hornist Kevin Newton, and bassoonist Monica Ellis. The name "Imani" means faith in Swahili. In 2002, the group released its debut album, Umoja. The Imani Winds launched the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival in 2010, which also has an educational component. It released a wind arrangement of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring in 2013 before releasing Startin' Sumthin' in 2016. In 2019, the group members formed the Imani Winds Foundation. The quintet has been active in the recording studio, releasing the album Bruits in 2021 and Passion for Bach and Coltrane in 2023.