Imani Winds: Cultural Revolution, Evolution and a GRAMMY® with Monica Ellis

More Elephant

In this edition of the More Elephant podcast, we are in conversation with GRAMMY® Award-winning bassoonist, music faculty, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Monica Ellis, a founding member, co-artistic, and Executive Director of the acclaimed Imani Winds Quintet.

Monica's journey, from her childhood in Pittsburgh to her time at Oberlin and Julliard, is a testament to the transformative power of music. Through these experiences, she helped pave the way for the globally recognized Imani Winds, a quintet that has revolutionized wind music and how Black chamber music is seen and heard and became a beacon of change in the classical music scene. This includes a permanent presence in the classical music section of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.

This episode discusses the inception and profound impact of Imani Winds, including their 2024 GRAMMY® win for 'Passion for Bach and Coltrane'. Notably, it highlights their educational initiatives through the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival and the Imani Winds Foundation, which have been instrumental in shaping the future of classical music. Monica's story is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the transformative impact of music on both the individual and collective levels.
Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Discover Imani Winds’ evolution through chamber music, education concerts, and foundation building, as well as their evolution and revolution over twenty-seven (27) years in the industry.
• We discuss the resurgence and cultural importance of Black Classical Music and biases in chamber music.
• Monica highlights the power of great teachers and investing in talent to create opportunity.
• And more…

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1. Imani Winds: Cultural Revolution, Evolution and a GRAMMY® with Monica Ellis (00:00:00)

2. Monica Ellis on Winning a Grammy (00:00:48)

3. Early Life and Musical Influences (00:03:49)

4. Discovering the Bassoon (00:06:41)

5. The Journey to Oberlin and Juilliard (00:14:50)

6. Founding Imani Winds (00:20:15)

7. Overcoming Bias in Classical Music (00:28:16)

8. The Importance of Practice and Dedication (00:28:45)

9. Creating a Unique Sound (00:29:25)

10. Expanding the Wind Quintet Repertoire (00:30:01)

11. The Resurgence of Black Classical Music (00:30:59)

12. Imani Winds' Impact and Achievements (00:31:42)

13. Commitment to Education and Outreach (00:34:34)

14. Founding the Imani Winds Foundation (00:39:43)

15. The Grammy-Winning Media Company (00:43:08)

16. Reflecting on a Phenomenal Journey (00:50:00)