Cantus and Imani Winds Unite in a Celebratory Journey of Heritage Through Music
Join two of today’s most compelling chamber ensembles—Cantus and Imani Winds—for a powerful joint concert centered around the theme of Ancestry. Through a compelling fusion of story and song, this unique collaboration celebrates the rich, diverse cultural lineages of both ensembles, exploring deeply rooted connections to identity, tradition, and history.
Renowned for their lush, expressive vocals, Cantus blends seamlessly with the bold, genre-defying sound of Imani Winds to present a dynamic program that traverses centuries and continents. Together, they create a musical tapestry that honors the past and reflects our shared human experience.
The concert features newly commissioned works* by Pulitzer Prize finalist Alex Weiser and 2022 Hermitage Greenfield Prize winner Angélica Negrón, alongside repertoire that highlights a global array of musical traditions and voices.
Program Selections Include:
Feng, Chen Yi
Vocalises (from Wind Horse), Tōru Takemitsu
Selections from And All the Days Were Purple, Alex Weiser*
Three Spirituals, arr. Jeff Scott*
Seen, Nathalie Joachim
*Joint repertoire performed by Cantus and Imani Winds
The “engaging” (The New Yorker) low-voice ensemble Cantus is widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and riveting performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. The Washington Post has hailed the Cantus sound as having both “exalting finesse” and “expressive power” and refers to the “spontaneous grace” of its music making. The Philadelphia Inquirer called the group nothing short of “exquisite.”
Imani Winds is the 2024 GRAMMY® winner in the Classical Compendium category for Jeff Scott’s “Passion for Bach and Coltrane” released on their recently formed record label, Imani Winds Media.
Celebrating over a quarter century of music making, the four time GRAMMY® nominated group has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations and outreach endeavors that have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Contact Us
We invite you to contact us now about finding a date to bring Cantus & Imani Winds to your series in the 2026/27 season.