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).

Lauded for her roles in Howard University’s premier vocal jazz ensemble, Afro Blue, where she was the lead soloist for four years, and the trio group The Soul Sistas, Nkwelle’s collaborations continued after moving from the nation’s capital to “The Big Apple.”

She has performed with venerable artists, such as world-renowned classical pianist, Lang Lang at Radio City Music Hall and The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra as well as jazz masters Russell Malone and Peter Washington at The Library of Congress. She also plays and travels extensively with powerhouse jazz bassist and rising star, Endea Owens. Ekep has graced the stages of The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Dizzy’s Jazz Club, The Carr Center, and The Strathmore, among others. She has appeared at multiple jazz festivals and events, including Newport Jazz Festival, Montclair Jazz Festival, Hudson Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Narrows (opening for Cecile McLorin Salvant), and DC Jazz Fest (opening for Regina Carter).

Some achievements include being one of 15 students inducted into the highly selective 2023 Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship bestowed upon her through nomination by jazz master trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis and Juilliard Jazz assistant director, Dr. Aaron Flagg. In 2022, she performed on NPR’s Music’s Tiny Desk concert series, singing her arrangement of Geri Allen’s “Timeless Portraits & Dreams.” This same year, Nkwelle placed First Runner-Up in The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Voice Competition, ahead of almost 300 contestants representing 27 countries. She has also secured a coveted spot in triple Grammy and Tony award-winner, Dee Dee Bridgewater’s The Woodshed Network artist residency program for women in Jazz.

A unique vessel harnessing a great gift, Nkwelle has become one of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s latest rising stars.

An in-demand artist, Ekep is rapidly being recognized as part of the promising “future of jazz.” Through her artistry, Nkwelle shares her passion for Black music, history and culture with listeners worldwide.