Music Mondays presents Imani Winds: The French Connection
Free (RSVP available)
- Brandon Patrick George, flute
- Mekhi Gladden, oboe
- Mark Dover, clarinet
- Farnell Newton, bassoon
- Monica Ellis, French horn
Jean Françaix — Wind Quintet No. 2
Lalo Schifrin — La Nouvelle Orleans
Valerie Coleman — Portraits of Josephine
Winners of the 2024 Grammy award, the Imani Winds has led both a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, and imaginative collaborations. Here they perform The French Connection: music connected to French culture, including Stravinsky's seminal, thrilling ballet, Rite of Spring. Hear why "Imani's got it all." (Philadelphia Enquirer)
Reserving tickets: Doors open at 6:45pm for those with Eventbrite registrations. Your reservation is for general admission, so we encourage you to arrive early to secure your preferred seat. PLEASE NOTE: Guests with reservations MUST arrive no later than 7:20pm. Any seats that have not been claimed by 7:20pm will be released to the Standby Line. We cannot guarantee you a seat if you arrive after 7:20pm.
Reservations sold out? Don't worry! We have a standby line at each performance. We encourage you to line up early and we will do our best to accommodate you. It is rare that Music Mondays turns anyone away.
About Imani Winds
Celebrating over a quarter century of music making, the twice Grammy-nominated Imani Winds 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.
The ensemble's playlist embraces traditional chamber music repertoire and newly commissioned works from voices that reflect historical events and the times in which we currently live.
http://www.imaniwinds.com/About Brandon Patrick George, flute
Brandon Patrick George, hailed as a "knockout musician with a gorgeous sound" by The Philadelphia Inquirer, is a leading flute soloist and Grammy Award-winning chamber musician whose repertoire extends from the Baroque era to today.
https://www.brandonpatrickgeorge.com/About Mekhi Gladden, oboe
About Mark Dover, clarinet
About Farnell Newton, bassoon
About Monica Ellis, French horn
Monica Ellis — a 2024 Grammy Award winner and three-time nominee — is a bassoonist, entrepreneur, and founding member of the wind quintet Imani Winds, which for over a quarter-century has dazzled audiences with dynamic playing, adventurous programming, and a commitment to outreach, new works, and collaborations. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ellis studied bassoon with Mark Pancerev and went on to receive her bachelor of music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, studying with George Sakakeeny. She received her master’s degree from The Juilliard School and her Professional Studies Certificate from Manhattan School of Music in the Orchestral Performance Program, studying with Frank Morelli at both institutions. She has appeared as solo bassoon with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, and Chineke! Orchestra in London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Recording credits include 10 studio albums with Imani Winds.
https://www.msmnyc.edu/faculty/monica-ellis/