Jazz Concert- Sounds at St. Nick: Featuring Michael Shekwoaga Ode, Drummer and Composer and Ekep Nkwelle, Jazz Vocalist
The Friends of St Nicholas Park, in partnership with Harlem One Stop, are thrilled to announce the launch of a new concert series in St Nicholas Park. This annual series will feature new and emerging artists on the music scene. Tyreek McDole, winner of the 2023 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, curates this year’s program series, which features Michael Shekwoaga Ode and Ekep Nkwelle.
Sounds at St. Nick, 2024, is a testament to the power of community and collaboration, made possible by the generous support of the West Harlem Development Corporation. We are deeply grateful for their contribution to this exciting new venture.
Ekep Nkwelle, a 24-year-old Cameroonian-American jazz vocalist, has carved her musical path from the vibrant streets of Washington, DC, to the heart of New York City’s jazz scene. Her journey through the esteemed Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Howard University, and The Juilliard School has been extraordinary. The power of her voice has resonated with jazz luminaries such as Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut, Wynton Marsalis, and Peter Washington, along with young stars like Emmet Cohen and Endea Owens, leading to countless collaborations. Her performances have graced iconic, internationally renowned venues, from the illustrious Radio City Music Hall, where she shared the stage with classical virtuoso Lang Lang in collaboration with Disney, to The Library of Congress, Marian’s Jazzroom, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The Strathmore. Her presence has also illuminated major festivals, including Newport, Montclair, Hudson, and DC jazz festivals. The year 2023 marked a pinnacle in Ekep’s career as she was honored with the prestigious Juilliard Career Advancement Grant, a testament to her artistry and character, nominated by none other than jazz master trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. This recognition followed her enchanting performance on NPR’s “Tiny Desk,” showcasing her unique arrangement of Geri Allen’s “Timeless Portraits & Dreams” in 2022. Continuing her ascent, Ekep collaborated with the illustrious 3x GRAMMY and Tony award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater during the fourth year of her exclusive, all-women artistic residency, The Woodshed Network. As one of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s newest rising stars, Ekep Nkwelle is poised to shape the future of jazz. With a burning passion for music, her artistry knows no bounds as she endeavors to share her soulful melodies with audiences worldwide.
