Emerging Worlds showcases Nicole Mitchell's ongoing commitment to expanding the sonic palette of jazz through a vibrant, large-ensemble approach. The album masterfully blends intricate compositions with improvisational freedom, reflecting Mitchell's distinctive Afrofuturist vision.
- "Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds" was released on May 5, 2017, by FPE Records.
- The album features a large ensemble cast, including musicians such as Ben LaMar Gay, Tomeka Reid, and Eliel Lopex, among others.
- This release is the second part of a larger project by Mitchell, following "Mandorla Awakening" from 2014.
Nicole Mitchell is a Los Angeles-born composer, bandleader, and educator who has become one of the most influential figures in contemporary creative jazz. She is a leading proponent of Afrofuturism through her music, drawing on African diasporic traditions and avant-garde jazz. This 2017 release found Mitchell leading her "new album project" at a time when she was actively exploring expanded ensemble formats and complex thematic concepts.
Tracklist
