Internationally Acclaimed Songstress N’Kenge Shares New Single & Music Video “S’Wonderful”
From New Album CENTERSTAGE – Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival, Out Now
Starring in That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical, World Premiere February 19 – March 8, 2026 at Axelrod Performing Arts Center
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December 5th, 2025 — Tony®, EMMY®, and GRAMMY® Award–nominated and internationally acclaimed songstress N’Kenge shares new single, “S’Wonderful,”the second single from her 2025 album, CENTERSTAGE – Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival.
A tender and emotionally rich reimagining of the Gershwin brothers’ 1927 standard, “S’Wonderful” honors jazz giant Ella Fitzgerald — N’Kenge’s longtime idol — with elegance and reverence. Opening with a soft, contemplative verse, the arrangement gradually expands into the song’s signature swing, capturing a striking balance of intimacy and classic jazz vitality. Watch the accompanying music video HERE.
CENTERSTAGE – Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival came to life earlier this year, when N’Kenge was selected with the honor of headlining the Ella Fitzgerald Festival. To N’Kenge, this opportunity “felt like a beautiful homage to the legacy of one of my greatest inspirations.” A live album like no other – combining spontaneous and genuine performance with the utter perfection of a Grammy-worthy studio recording. N’Kenge says “Capturing that night in a live recording was essential to me, as there’s an unmatched magic in live concerts — connection with the audience and the spontaneous moments that come alive in the music.”
N’Kenge heralded the release of CENTERSTAGE – Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival, with the lead single “Bewitched – Live.” The track has been rapidly rising on radio; after peaking at #22 on the Smooth Jazz Radio Airplay Chart, it recently became the No. 2 most added song in the format with six new station adds. The single also recently broke into the Smooth Jazz Global Top 50 Listener Countdown, and reaching #34 on the Smooth Jazz Global Radar Chart.
Alongside CENTERSTAGE, N’Kenge will be premiering That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical – previews begin February 19, 2026, followed by opening night on February 21, 2026 at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park, NJ. The production runs through March 8, 2026. To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.axelrodartscenter.com/thats-love-dorothy-dandridge.
N’Kenge – the conceiver and driving creative force behind That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical – directs the world premiere alongside Broadway veteran Christina Sajous (A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical). Together, they lead the world premiere with an unwavering commitment to honoring Dorothy Dandridge’s legacy, bringing her story to the stage in a powerful new light. They are supported by an extraordinary creative team and a 15-member Broadway elite cast, who embody iconic figures such as Marilyn Monroe, the Nicholas Brothers, and Harry Belafonte. Blending Broadway, jazz, blues, and cinematic storytelling, the musical follows Dandridge’s remarkable rise from humble beginnings to becoming the first Black woman nominated for an Academy® Award for Best Actress. Through defining moments — from Harlem nightlife and the Apollo Theater to Hollywood’s golden age and the glamour of Las Vegas — audiences experience her triumphs, struggles, and heartbreak as she fights for agency, dignity, and her rightful place in history. With stunning choreography, powerhouse vocals, and a sweeping score, That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical offers an impassioned, revelatory portrait of the “first Black leading lady,” celebrating her artistry, motherhood, and enduring legacy.
The creative team brings together award-winning talent across disciplines. Two-time EMMY® Award-winner Trey Ellis provides the book and original lyrics, while Tony® Award-winner Shelton L. Becton contributes the original music and original lyrics. Choreography is crafted by Ray Mercer (Disney’s The Lion King), and the musical arrangements are shaped by GRAMMY® Award–nominated artist Everett Bradley. The producing team features Michael T. Clarkston (Jersey Boys), Perri Gillon (The Last Five Years), MAC & Bistro Award Winner Dawn Derow, and TyNia René Brandon (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical). Executive Producers include multi–award-winning Y. Dolly Fox, Tony® Award-winner Willette Klausner, Tony® Award-nominated Richard Bell, President & CEO of Park Row Equity Partners,Alan Steinberg, and executive producer The N’Kenge Foundation.
As part of its mission, The N’Kenge Foundation supports programs that expand artistic access and education — including Beyond the Spotlight, which helps students look past the glamour and understand an artist’s full journey. Using Dorothy Dandridge’s life as a case study, the program explores the pressures, racism, financial struggles, and emotional costs she faced. Students gain tools in mindfulness, mental wellness, and basic financial literacy, learning how resilience is built, how creativity supports well-being, and why caring for both mind and money is essential for a sustainable artistic life. Join the foundation in their Hollywood Challenge and sending 500 students to see That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/hollywood-challenge-send-300-students-to-thats-love-the-dorothy-dandridge-musical
That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical’s journey to the stage has already garnered significant acclaim, beginning with two sold-out nights at Carnegie Hallduring its concert debut. It continued building momentum with three sold-out performances at the New York Theatre Festival, where it earned the most nominations and secured the most wins of any production that season. And most recently, the creative team presented an exclusive, invite-only staged reading for industry professionals at the newly renovated Laurie Beechman Theater.
This month, N’Kenge caps off 2025 with shows in New York, plus a series of headline shows this holiday season across the Eastern Caribbean with stops in the Leeward Islands and Greater Antilles. Check out the full confirmed itinerary below.
Catch N’Kenge this holiday season at the following locations:
12/5 New York, NY @ Urban Stages
12/8 New York, NY @ Madame George
12/23 St. Johns, Antigua
12/24 Philipsburg, St. Maarten
12/25 San Juan, Puerto Rico
12/26 Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
For more music & appearances, please visit Nkengemusic.com.
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Photo Credit: Matei Mahai |
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ABOUT N’KENGE
A five-octave vocal powerhouse, N’Kenge is redefining crossover artistry. Her single “Bewitched”, from the album CenterStage: Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival, soared to #2 on the smooth jazz charts and drew international acclaim from critics across Italy and South Africa. A Tony, Emmy, and Grammy-nominated performer, N’Kenge has headlined with major orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony, and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden. Her dynamic blend of classical precision and soulful expression has made her a global favorite in pop, opera, and jazz. She has appeared on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim, Motown: The Musical, and Caroline, or Change, originated the role of The Moon, and performed at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball for President Obama, televised internationally. With over 26 million TikTok views for her hit “Goosebump Moment”, N’Kenge continues to bridge classic artistry and modern audiences. In 2026, she premieres a new Motown and Rock ’n’ Roll symphonic concert with the Jacksonville Symphony, and leads the world premiere of That’s Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center.
ABOUT N’KENGE FOUNDATION
The N’Kenge Foundation (https://www.nkengefoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) arts and education nonprofit based in New York and New Jersey. The organization creates opportunities for BIPOC youth and emerging artists through performance, mentorship, and culturally grounded programming. Its initiatives include Harmony of Heritage for Black History Month, Beyond the Spotlight for Women’s History Month, and Are You the Next Showstopper?! National talent competition, which awards its winners a fully funded training residency in Europe. The Foundation also supports new theatrical works, community engagement, events, and arts access for schools. Through performance, education, and storytelling, the N’Kenge Foundation works to uplift diverse voices and expand pathways into the performing arts.
For more information, contact Shore Fire Media’s Rebecca Shapiro, Moya Crowley & Anna Hudson at NKengePR@ShoreFire.com