Get ready, Houston — the city’s vibrant music scene is about to welcome a magnetic new voice that’s taking the jazz world by storm. DACAMERA proudly presents Ekep Nkwelle, a dynamic young vocalist whose artistry captures the soul of jazz while honoring her African roots, in an unforgettable evening performance at the Wortham Center on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

A Voice Bridging Cultures, Generations, and the Spirit of Jazz

Born in Washington, D.C. to parents from Cameroon, Nkwelle’s journey reads like a love letter to both tradition and transformation. At just 25 years old, her path from playful inspiration to polished performance is one of rare talent, relentless training, and deep cultural connection.

Ekep Nkwelle

 

From Looney Tunes to the Lincoln Center

Nkwelle’s spark for jazz came from an unexpected muse — an animated one, in fact. As a teenager, she was enchanted by a Looney Tunes episode where the big red monster, Gossamer, crooned “September in the Rain.” That quirky moment lit a lifelong passion.

Since then, she’s honed her craft through a world-class education: first at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, then Howard University, and finally The Juilliard School, where she earned her master’s degree and the coveted Juilliard Career Advancement Grant, handpicked by jazz icon Wynton Marsalis himself.

Her voice — smooth, spirited, and rich with storytelling — has already graced international stages, from Italy’s Umbria Jazz Festival to Switzerland’s Marians Jazzroom, Spain’s San Javier Jazz Festival, and America’s most revered halls like Carnegie Hall, SFJAZZ, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.

An Artist Grounded in Heritage and Heart

For Nkwelle, music is more than performance — it’s cultural remembrance. She describes her artistry as deeply influenced by the songs of her father’s Bakossi tribe, where music is interwoven into every aspect of life — from devotion to mourning to celebration.

“Music is just embedded in our way of life,” Nkwelle says. “When I make music — especially jazz — I want it to be spiritual, personal, and connected. The same way my parents use song to begin a meeting or a morning prayer, I sing to bring meaning and soul into each note.”

This spiritual depth, paired with her modern jazz sensibility, has earned her the admiration of legends like Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cyrus Chestnut, and the late Russell Malone — all of whom have shared stages and studio moments with her.

A Heart for Houston

And Houston holds a special place in her journey. “I have a lot of family here,” Nkwelle shares warmly. “Houston is one of my favorite cities in the U.S. — the people, the energy, the art — it all feels like home.”

With her performance at the Wortham Center, she brings that familial warmth to Houston’s jazz lovers, connecting her ancestral rhythm to the Bayou City’s soulful pulse.

Get Your Tickets Early

This is more than a concert — it’s a musical homecoming, a celebration

of resilience, artistry, and cross-cultural harmony.

Tickets: $53.50, $68.50, and $83.50

Venue: Wortham Center, Houston, Texas  Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Tickets Available: www.dacamera.com or call 713-524-5050

About DACAMERA

For over 37 years, DACAMERA has been enriching Houston’s cultural fabric with imaginative, cross-disciplinary concerts that connect music, literature, and visual arts. Under the direction of Sarah Rothenberg, the organization has commissioned more than 40 new works, earning national recognition for its visionary approach to performance.

From Kendrick Scott’s emotionally charged Unearthed to Tyshawn Sorey’s Pulitzer-nominated Monochromatic Light (Afterlife), DACAMERA continues to redefine what it means to experience music that matters — socially, spiritually, and artistically.

As Rothenberg often notes, “Music should make us feel connected — to history, to art, and to each other.”

Final Note

Houston Style Magazine readers, Ekep Nkwelle’s upcoming performance is a reminder that jazz — like Houston itself — is always evolving while staying rooted in heritage. This December, the Wortham Center will resonate with the sound of a rising star whose story embodies the fusion of legacy and innovation.

Houston, mark your calendars — this is one night where every note will speak to the soul.