Cody Englander
Staff writer
A force in modern jazz, Ekep Nkwelle plans to bring a selection of inspired jazz and soul works to her performance at 8:15 p.m. tonight in the Amphitheater, though one song by Jean DuShon stands out.
“It’s titled ‘Early One Morning,’ ” Nkwelle said. “There’s a lot of churchiness to it, a lot of soul to it. It’s the Blues — you can’t go wrong.”
Jazz vocalist Nkwelle is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Howard University and The Juilliard School, and has performed on a number of stages including SFJAZZ, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, Marians Jazzroom and the Umbria Jazz Festival. Recently, she had her first week run at New York’s Village Vanguard with Joel Ross’ Parables.
Accompanying Nkwelle on stage tonight is Luther Allison on piano, Liany Mateo on bass, and Brian Richburg Jr. on drums.
Nkwelle grew up in a West African Pentecostal Church, which drew her toward big voices and artists with inspiring music.
“When you speak of somebody like Abbey Lincoln, she’s a perfect example,” Nkwelle said. “Big voice. Big sound. Big message.”
Nkwelle has an interest in reintroducing older jazz music to the public eye, which she noted as currently being done by Terri Lyne Carrington bringing “new standards” through introducing original jazz works by women. Nkwelle looks to continue Carrington’s concept. She also gained inspiration during her experience in a series at Juilliard titled Women in Jazz.
“I would bring in so much music during that time,” Nkwelle said. “I would bring in original works by Lizz Wright, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, I would bring in lots of original works by women.”
In the Juilliard series, she explored the artists’ catalogs and came to a greater understanding of the jazz, soul and R&B genres.
“Their discography deserves to be known, and I can’t expect somebody else to do it for me,” Nkwelle said. “If I want to see this music programmed more, I’ll just program it myself.”
Some other inspirations for Nkwelle came from her past collaborators: Joel Ross’ Parables, Immanuel Wilkins and, especially, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
“If I could tour with them permanently, I would,” Nkwelle said. “I love how hard they swing and how they honor the legacy of swing music.”
Having worked with many of her inspirations already, her dream collaborator she has yet to work with is jazz and Blues singer Catherine Russell.
“I would love to do a duet with her,” Nkwelle said. “She’s one of my greatest living inspirations.”
With a bundle of inspiration, she plans to funnel her passions into a full-length project sometime soon. This fall, she’ll be going into the studio to record with hopes to release the project next year.
“I have been holding people off for two years, and finally I think we can all let go of that breath,” Nkwelle said.
While her future work is in the back of her mind, she’s looking forward to performing in front of a Chautauqua audience tonight.
“I want the audience to get ready for a roller coaster ride, but not one that leaves your head hurting,” said Nkwelle. “It’ll be one you want to ride again and again. Just get ready.”
