Results for "Ekep Nkwelle"

Ekep Nkwelle

The meaning of Ekep Nkwelle’s name (pronounced [Eh-kep In-kweh-leh]) perfectly describes her: a gift. Her rich, soulful voice soars delivering timeless messages to audiences with power and confidence. 

To develop and master her talent, the Washington, DC-born Cameroonian-American vocalist has trained at world-renown institutes, such as Duke Ellington High School of the Arts, Howard University (BA) and The Juilliard School (MM).

At Howard, she trained with master jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut. With Chestnut’s guidance, Ekep tapped into the blues as an essential language for story-telling. The two would go on to perform together at Dizzy’s Jazz Club in New York and record a duet of the late DC saxophonist, Buck Hill’s “The Sad Ones” (lyrics written by Nkwelle to Buck Hill’s tenor saxophone solo).

Gospel Music

By Joel Ross

Label: Blue Note Records
Released: 2026
Track listing: Wisdom Is Eternal (For Barry Harris); Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); Protoevangelium (The First Gospel); Hostile; The Shadowlands; Nevertheless; Word for Word; Repentance; The Sacred Place; A Little Love Goes a Long Way; Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ; Calvary; The Giver; To The Throne (The Mercy Seat); Be Patient; The New Man; Now & Forevermore.

Caged Bird

By Ekep Nkwelle

Label: Mack Avenue Records
Released: 2026
Track listing: His Eye Is on the Sparrow; Caged Bird; Night Song; Amazon Farewell; Good Morning, Heartache; Early One Mornin’; The Sad Ones; The Creator Has A Master Plan; See See Rider.

Royalty: The Music of Duke Ellington & Count Basie

By Todd Stoll

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2026
Track listing: Second Line; Sepia Panorama; No Moon at All; Easin’ It; My Little Brown Book; Chinoiserie; You Turned the Tables on Me; Shiny Stockings; Flight of the Foo Birds; Every Day I Have the Blues; Banquet Scene; Who Me.

Ekep Nkwelle, Brandon Seabrook, Donald Vega, Sakoto Fujii, Caixa Cuba

by Cheryl K.
October 8, 2026

During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music--vocalist Ekep Nkwelle; guitarist/banjoist Brandon Seabrook; pianists Thelonious Monk (1967 Euro tour) and Donald Vega; harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens and pianist Steve Sandberg; pianist/composer Sakoto Fujii; the Brazilian trio Caixa Cuba; and guitarist Jocelyn Gould.Playlist [SINGLE] Billie Holiday “Deep Song" from [SINGLE] (Decca) 3:10 Ekep ...

Bobby Watson, Monty Alexander, JD Allen, Zuri Alexander and more

by Benjamin Boddie
October 7, 2026

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Bobby Watson, Monty Alexander, JD Allen, Zuri Alexander, Hendrik Meurkens & Steve Sandberg, The Dave Fox Group, Tommy Muellner, Adonis Rose, Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra, Dennis Mitcheltree, Sullivan Fortner, Stefon Harris & Blackout, Haruna Fukazawa, Janis Siegel, Jane Ira Bloom, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro, Enoch Smith Jr., ...

Josh Lawrence, Doug Webb, Janis Siegel, Branford Marsalis Quartet with Dianne Reeves and more

by Benjamin Boddie
October 1, 2026

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Josh Lawrence, Bob McChesney, Doug Webb, Janis Siegel, Todd DelGiudice, Samuel Bonnet Trio, Jimbo Ross, Branford Marsalis Quartet with Dianne Reeves, Alain Bradette, Elliott Caine Quintet, Mike Dana Jazz Orchestra, Azar Lawrence, Tara Davidson's Marni Project, Jonathan Karrant, Marlon Simon And The Nagual Spirits, Thelonious Monk, Jane Ira Bloom, Ekep ...

Ekep Nkwelle: Caged Bird

by Andrew Schinder
September 28, 2026

At a time when the jazz music community is blessed with no shortage of upstart young vocalists, Ekep Nkwelle has risen above the fray by embracing the diversity of styles within the jazz idiom, moving from time-honored standards to progressive modernity with ease, and working with masters ranging from Kenny Barron to David Murray. The daughter of Cameroonian immigrants, ...

New York City Jazz Performance Preview: Fall 2026

by Paul Reynolds
September 16, 2026

New York season includes the first fall programs from two recently opened midtown clubs--The Pocket and Jazzcultural and higher-profile shows for fine emerging performers such as singer Ekep Nkwelle and pianist/arranger Joe Block. The preeminent departure is that of Wynton Marsalis who, after 30 years in the job, will lead his last season as ...

Branford Marsalis Quartet and Dianne Reeves, Ekep Nkwelle, Somi, George Garzone, Caroline Davis and Azar Lawrence

by Hobart Taylor
September 16, 2026

Mick Goodrick and Fred Hersch 1988 recordings unearthed at ECM, Music from Sweden's Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra with Amanda Werne, and France's LeBeque sisters interpret Bill Evans.Playlist Host Speaks 00:00 Caleb Wheeler Curtis /Jason Moran “ That Which Cannot Be Replaced" from Incantation (Imani) 00:07 Caroline Davis/Grey Mcmurray/Qasim Naqvi “Out of the Way of ...