Ekep Nkwelle

Rising star from Washington, acclaimed by Wynton Marsalis.

Singer Ekep Nkwelle grew up in Washington, DC and from there made her way to the stages of New York and far beyond. Her voice caught the attention of greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Catherine Russell, Cyrus Chestnut, and the late Russell Malone, several of whom have collaborated with her.

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, on the recommendation of Marsalis, and she is now considered one of the newest rising stars of Jazz at Lincoln Center. She previously performed 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.