Grammy and Emmy-nominated and International Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, actress and producer N’KENGE (pronounced “nuh-KEN-JEE”) has incredible versatility and range that is virtually unmatched. She has been heralded by the New York Times as “a classically trained diva that can stretch from Broadway to Pop, Soul and Opera.” Trained at both The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, N’Kenge’s vocal and musical range spans five octaves, 11 languages and multiple genres.
Born and raised in The Bronx, N’Kenge began honing her artistic talents at a very young age. Starting music lessons at age 3 and earning a scholarship at age 6, the young artist’s musical talents skyrocketed her through winning national vocal competitions and scholarships all the way to performing at world-renowned venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and Madison Square Garden. N’Kenge has performed throughout all corners of the US as well as Europe, Israel, and the Czech Republic.
She has also sung for Presidents and Dignitaries around the globe, including President Clinton and for President Obama’s historical Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball.
Winner of both the Leontyne Price and Lena Horne Vocal competitions, N’Kenge has proven her talents are boundless. She has captivated audiences across the globe, transitioning seamlessly between concerts in pop, jazz, soul, R&B, swing, opera, American Songbook, and Broadway musicals. In addition, her acting skills won her nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical by the Helen Hayes Awards and the Arizoni Theater Awards.
Starring on both West End, London and Broadway, N’Kenge has won wide critical acclaim. The NY Post called her performance of Mary Wells in Broadway’s Motown: The Musical, “Electrifying!” The legendary Motown Records label Founder, Berry Gordy, describes N’Kenge as “the most versatile artist I know.” More recently, New York Magazine praised N’Kenge’s vocal performance in the Broadway hit musical, Caroline, or Change, as “soaring, pure, effortless, gorgeous.”
Today, N’Kenge continues to prove that she’s not resting on her laurels. Later this year, she will star in two Broadway-bound musicals - one entitled Dangerous, written by John Introcaso and Michael Colby - and the other that she also conceived and produced on the life and legacy of the groundbreaking actress, Dorothy Dandridge, that will be premiering at Carnegie Hall in July 2022. N’Kenge also wrote and created Forever Summer - a Tribute to Donna Summer that is slated for a premier at Carnegie Hall next season. N’Kenge has developed a new TV musical series, BLACK BUTTERFLY, that she created as well as co-wrote with award-winning writer Mary McCallum and is co-producing the show with TV producer Gina Goff.
With all of her life achievements and accolades, N’Kenge shows no signs of slowing down. Watch out for this incredible multi-talented artist coming to a stage or screen near you!
Join Broadway star N'KENGE at the NIGHT OF BROADWAY Gala, benefiting the Youth Foundation of Jersey City. Enjoy performances from talented local youths and N'KENGE herself at Barrow Mansion. Learn how to purchase tickets!
Experience the power and talent of N'Kenge in Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical at New York Winter Theater Festival. Celebrate the legacy of a fearless pioneer and the first African-American Woman to receive an Oscar Nomination. Get your tickets now!
Somewhere Nowhere (112 W. 25th Street), a stunning rooftop lounge and nightclub will celebrate the 1 year anniversary of hosting Gotham Jazz on Wednesday, June 14th with some of NYC's most talented musicians and performers including Broadway star Derrick Davis (Lion King, Carousel, and Phantom of the Opera) as well special Emmy, Grammy and Tony-nominated Broadway guest performer N'Kenge Simpson.
From Broadway to Motown to Hollywood and the Concert Stage, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Nominated Songstress, N'Kenge salutes the divas of jazz, opera, pop, and soul.
On Thursday, April 27th White Horse Theater Company in association with Salt Pillar Productions presented the legendary Penny Arcade and her show Longing Lasts Longer at the prestigious private members club, The Players NYC (16 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003). The piece was written, conceived, and performed by Arcade, with design and direction by Steve Zehentner. See photos from the evening.
Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-nominated vocalist N'Kenge will bring her talents from Broadway to Jersey City for a good cause. On May 3, she will host the second annual 'A Night of Broadway,' a benefit concert featuring artists based in Jersey City, to support the Youth Foundation of Jersey City.
Broadway and Opera star N'Kenge is in Whitefish rehearsing with Alpine Theatre Project on their first show of the year, In the Mood: an Evening of Big Band Swing. N'Kenge returns to Whitefish along with one of America's most electrifying tap dancers, DeWitt Fleming Jr, for a new version of last year's hit salute to nostalgic big band music.
Back by popular demand, Broadway star N'Kenge made her joyous return to the Houston Symphony as featured guest artist for A Very Merry Pops, a three-night holiday concert series, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski. The series took place from December 15-18, 2022 at The Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston. See photos from the concert.
The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
This holiday season Broadway star, N'Kenge will make her joyous return to the Houston Symphony as featured guest artist for A Very Merry Pops, a three night holiday concert series, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski.
This holiday season Broadway star, N'Kenge will make her joyous return to the Houston Symphony as featured guest artist for A Very Merry Pops, a three night holiday concert series, led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski. The performances will take place on December 15th, 17th and 18th, 2022.
This holiday season Broadway and Opera star, N'Kenge will make her highly-anticipated debut with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to headline Home for the Holidays, a special three-day holiday concert series. The performances will take place on November 25th, 26th and 27th, 2022 at Bass Performance Hall.
The summer may be over this year, but Broadway actress, singer and producer, N'Kenge, keeps the heat up in her one woman musical tribute, Forever Summer - a Tribute to Donna Summer. This fall, N'Kenge brings her electrifying talents to the Adrienne Theater (located at 2030 Sansom Street) in the heart of Philadelphia, performing all the hits by the Queen of Disco in one explosive show.
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment) is hosting their annual, star-studded Gala for the first time ever in New York City (as well as live-streamed online) on Saturday, October 22nd at 7pm est at The Players, a membership club in Edwin Booth’s Gothic Revival-style Gramercy Park mansion.
Producers Richard Bell, N’Kenge, Park Row Equity Partners, Tegan Summer, Sam Williams, Michael Loeb and Derow Enterprises, in association with Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts and LBlakes Partners, recently presented “The Songs of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical,” at Zankel Hall in Carnegie Hall. Check out photos here!
Producers Richard Bell, N'Kenge, Park Row Equity Partners, Tegan Summer, Sam Williams, Michael Loeb and Derow Enterprises, in association with Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, announce the presentation of “The Songs of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical,” selections from the upcoming production of Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical, with book and lyrics by Trey Ellis and music and lyrics by Shelton L. Becton, directed by Tamara Tunie at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.
NYC Broadway and Opera vocalist N'Kenge returns to the world famous Carnegie Hall for a special one-night performance of the groundbreaking Suffrage Cantata, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Womens' Suffrage Movement, by award-winning composer, Andrea Ramsey.
New York City's Broadway and Opera star N'Kenge returns to Whitefish with one of America's most electrifying tap dancers, DeWitt Fleming Jr, for a special Valentine's Day weekend performance of nostalgic big band music.