Today we’d like to introduce you to Immanuel Zechariah
Hi Immanuel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am from Philadelphia, that is where I began my musical journey. I played at different venues including, colleges, libraries, bars, lounges, coffee houses, tea rooms and lofts. As I was performing at a local bar a woman who was very inebriated, spilled her drink on my saxophone. At that moment I decided I had enough. I prayed and asked the Lord to send me somewhere where I could concentrate on Him and perfect my musical skills. Along with being a musician I was also a jeweler, making and selling my wares on the corner of 11th and market street in Philly. That’s where all the creatives hung out and sold their creations. Some of the craftsman decided to make their annual trip to the Jazz and Heritage festival in New Orleans. I decided I was going this year. We had a great time there meeting new people and selling our jewelry and artifacts. Once we left there the driver decided to stop in Atlanta to check out some friends. Upon arriving there, we entered the house and I saw a piano, I thought that’s nice, someone has a piano, but then I saw an upright base in the corner and I said to myself something is about to jump off now. So I met Rukiya Imani and Mamaniji Azanyah, and they were looking for a saxophonist to complete some tracks on their album “Faith for My Mind” I recorded with them at Haywood’s recording studio which was located on the corner of Ashby and MLK Jr. drive. I stayed with the group a number of years, until the group broke up. Me and the base player then formed a group by the name of Azanyah (God Hears) After performing with that band for a number of years Mamaniji disbanded the group. At that point I started doing some solo things with tracks, but I eventually put together my own group “The Immanuel Experience Ensemble” and started performing and touring and producing my own music. So now I reside here in the ATL, one of the best kept secrets in Atlanta… but not for long!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For musicians the greatest struggle is getting your music heard and having enough performance situations to keep your band working. My music is very spiritual, my focus is on bringing people into an awareness of the Creator…Like Ellington’s Sacred music suits or John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” or Kirk Whalum’s “The Gospel According to Jazz”. That’s where I’m at…
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
First and foremost I am a Christian, a Seventh Day Adventist Christian I believe in the second coming of our Lord and Savior Yashuah the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. I have a Hebrew Israelite background and brought up in the sixties and seventies during the black power movement. So I am a different bird altogether… My music is very creative because it comes straight from the Creator…He wakes me up sometimes 3:00 in the morning and gives me music in dreams or audible melodies to my subconscious mind, thats how He speaks to me. I love making music and sharing it with the world. I pray for the day when the world discovers the music I have been blessed to create. In 2019, I won Gospel Jazz artist of the Year, from the Gospel Choice Music Awards. I have recently been nominated for the Gospel Choice Music Award in the category of Gospel Jazz Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. Voting starts March 15-29. Please vote for me at https://www.gospelchoicemusicawards.com/voting .
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m an introvert and most times very shy…I’m older than I look!
Pricing:
- My CDs sell around $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theimmanuelexperienceensemble.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imman14uel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ministryofimmanuel8551
- Other: https://imman14uel.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits
Photographers, Sam Glindo and Emele Jones,
