In 2009, Upper Darby’s 11-Year-Old Immanuel Wilkins Was Playing The National Anthem Before Sixers Games. In 2020, The New York Times Says His New Jazz Album Is The Year’s Best.
In March of 2009, as the Sixers were about to play their last home game at the Spectrum, the Inquirer wrote:
Saxman Grover Washington Jr. was the Sixers go-to Star-Spangled Banner” – ist. At Friday’s final Sixers game at Wachovia Spectrum, he’ll be there in spirit. Eleven-year-old Immanuel Wilkins who brought to mind Washington the last time he played before a game – will perform.
While he was still at Beverly Hills Middle School, Wilkins began performing at the Cape May Music Festival. Then, as Lou DeVlieger wrote last week in DelcoTimes.com:
At Upper Darby High School under Jazz Band teacher Jason Majerczak as well as the lessons and performances that his parents supported him with throughout the Philadelphia area. By his junior year of high school, Immanuel participated in the national acclaimed Young Arts Band and the Grammy Camp Jazz Session and was invited to attend the Grammy Awards and play at the Recording Academy afterparty. In his senior year, Immanuel Wilkins auditioned for and was accepted to attend the prestigious Julliard School of Music where Wynton Marsalis was director of Juilliard Jazz.
Click here to read whole article, NY Times, Best Jazz Albums of 2020
Blue Note Records’ Don Was interviews Immanuel Wilkins