Grammy-nominated Imani Winds, visits Dunedin for the first time this weekend. Rebecca Fox talks to Monica Ellis about the bassoon and being an African American classical musician.
Self-proclaimed ''band kids'', members of Imani Winds are proud to be celebrating 20 years together.
''As musicians of colour, that is not easily done. Celebrating the culture and diversity we bring is important, it shows African-American musicians can be a successful group of the highest level of excellence,'' the group's bassoonist Monica Ellis says.
Given most people think of jazz when they think of African-American musicians not the obe, flute, the group is proud to show there is more to their talents.
''Being role models to people is an important part of our work.''
The group also prides itself on its ''very different and very powerful'' musical programme which does include some jazz but its base and foundation is classical.
''Our approach is that we want to show that the flute, obe - more timid sounding instruments can be as big as a brass band, as intimate as a string quartet.''
For Ellis, who grew up in Pittsburgh, music has always been part of her life.
Her father, the late Clarence Oden was a jazz saxophonist, encouraged her to pursue music from a very young age starting out with the clarinet and saxophone.
''I also played quite a bit of piano.''
Then, in the 8th grade, a teacher encouraged her try the bassoon.
''I didn't have any specific desire to play it, but my 8th grade teacher saw in me a talent and ability to do something different, so I gave it a shot.''
The teacher gave her a bassoon and she took it home.
''I remember my parents were not shocked. I had a very supportive family environment, so the idea of doing something different was not considered strange.''
Imani ('faith' in Swahili) Winds formed in 1997 when flautist Valerie Coleman, recently named by The Washington Post as one of the top-35 female composers in classical music, decided to create an ensemble to bring together some of the top African-American woodwind players in the world.
The group, which was back then jokingly aiming for ''world domination'', has found that 21 years on they still enjoy playing together.
''It's a lot of fun. We have a great time with each other. It comes naturally; it's not forced.''
Four of the five are founding members with its clarinettist leaving two years ago and Mark Dover coming on board.
''It's been quite a change but it is testament to the group that the change went so smoothly.
''It shows it has life in itself.''
Like any serious relationship, Ellis says it requires work and respect for each other. They also regularly check in with each other to ensure they are all on the same page.
''When it's all said and done, we still enjoy making music together.''
They all have their own roles within the group - Ellis is the business manager, responsible for their bookings and travel arrangements.
''So when I'm not playing, I'm still involved working out programmes, booking plane tickets and hotels.''
She is also a mother as are the other female members of the group.
''Valerie and I were pregnant at the same time. It wasn't planned, but we had our kids 12 days apart.''
Coleman and French horn player Jeff Scott are the group's composers, writing not just for the ensemble but for other groups as well.
Arrangements by Scott feature in the Dunedin concert, including Piazzolla's Contrabajissimo.
Scott has also worked on major musical productions, including The Lion King on Broadway for eight years, and played jazz with Wynton Marsalis.
He said he sees a place for jazz and other American popular music on the classical concert stage.
''It's the challenge for the 21st-century musician to train for the flexibility and sensibility in these genres alongside the traditional Western classical canon.
''While jazz and popular styles do not make it into every composition or arrangement I write, the colours remain as options amongst the spectrum of choices at any point of the process.''
The Dunedin concert also includes Coleman's Red Clay and Mississippi Delta as well as Imani Winds' arrangement of famed orchestral classic, Scheherazade, which Ellis said ''works wonderfully for a wind quintet''.
''And we'll perform pieces by our friend and musical icon, Paquito D'Rivera - bringing a bit of Cuban, Latin jazz to New Zealand.''
Imani Winds is also well-known for its commitment to teaching: Ellis has taught at conservatories of music at Purchase College, Brooklyn College and The Julliard School's Music Advancement Programme.
The group often takes master classes while travelling and will also do a performance for children in Dunedin.
Ellis said Imani Winds enjoys performing for children.
''Kids can be especially fun to play for, particularly when you see you are exposing them to something that they've never experienced before.
''If we can encourage a young person to pick up an instrument, study music or simply become a well-rounded concert-goer, then that's great for not only us as professional musicians, but us all as a society.''
