Ekep Nkwelle

Zangeres Ekep Nkwelle grew up in Washington, DC and made her way from there to the stages of New York and far beyond. Her voice stood out to greats like Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Catherine Russell, Cyrus Chestnut, and the lamented Russell Malone, several of whom collaborated with her. In addition, she sings on the album 'Birdy' (Impulse Records) by David Murray. This year she performed at North Sea Jazz, in the band of the legendary pianist Kenny Barron. In 2023, she received the Juilliard Career Advancement Grant, upon the nomination of Marsalis, and has since established herself as one of the newest rising stars of Jazz at Lincoln Center. She previously played at Umbria Jazz, in Marians Jazzroom, at the San Javier Jazz Festival, in Carnegie Hall, at NPR's Tiny Desk, and at SFJAZZ. Now she shows why that reputation precedes her.