The music of the singer, composer, and multi instrumentalist is too diverse to simply list as jazz; genres such as soul, funk, and even hip hop also fit her like a glove. Her versatility was firmly on show on her latest album, 2023’s The Omnichord Real Book, which landed her the Grammy for Best Alternative Jazz Album earlier this year. It was her debut on the renowned Blue Note Records. The album, which was produced by saxophonist Josh Johnson, features many beloved North Sea Jazz regulars, such as Cory Henry, Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Brandee Younger. The Omnichord Real Book was Ndegeocello’s first album in five years and succeeded 2018’s Ventriloquism, on which she gave new meaning to well-known R&B and pop hits.
At the festival, Ndegeocello will show several of her musical sides, bringing a different performance on each day. On Friday she will honor the founder of both Cricket magazine and the Black arts movement, Larry Neal, with songs by NTU Troop, Eugene McDaniels and Public Enemy.
