"Ekep Nkwelle has quietly become one of the most compelling new voices in jazz today, having performed at the world's most storied stages—such as Newport Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and North Sea Jazz Festival—and collaborated with legends including Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Russell Malone, and Cyrus Chestnut. All before the age of 27 and without an album of recorded music. That all changes with Caged Bird, her debut album rooted in personal truth and universal humanity, serving as a reminder that music carries us through hardship and sets us all free.

Inspired by Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the record details a journey from sorrow to inspiration, representing human suffering and the pursuit of a better future. Experience her story firsthand through 9 songs filled with the poise of a seasoned artist and the urgency of someone with something profound to say."