If you look at the list of musicians and bands that have previously engaged Sam Wilkes as a sideman – for example Chaka Khan, Mk.gee, Jacob Collier, KNOWER, Rufus Wainwright, Maggie Rogers and Dijon – it immediately becomes clear that this bassist from Los Angeles is aesthetically and stylistically broadly positioned and feels just as much at home in contemporary jazz as in funk, soul and hip-hop. He became known worldwide as a member of the live line-up of the duo KNOWER, and also frequently works in other bands led by the duo’s co-leader Louis Cole as well as in the various groups of saxophonist Sam Gendel. His own music is similarly diverse. Wilkes often focuses on modern and young jazz, but he also likes to branch off into meditative, contemplative, emotional, sometimes even psychedelic music.