SET TIMES 

7:00pm - Doors open 
8:00pm - Ella Thompson
8:30pm - Interval 
9:00pm - Jalen Ngonda

*set times are approximate and subject to change.

Early in his career, US-born, UK-based singer Jalen Ngonda was already drawing weighty comparisons to soul greats like Marvin Gaye and David Ruffin.

Signed to ‘the’ label for golden-era styled soul, New York’s Daptone Records, Ngonda possesses a rich, nuanced voice that hits those classic touch points, while still belonging to the present. 

Having earned the respect of everyone from Snoop Dogg to Elton John, Ngonda levelled up on his 2023 debut album, Come Around and Love Me. Recorded alongside a who’s who of Daptone-affiliated musicians, the album is infused with classic Motown and Philly soul, carried by Ngonda’s swooning vocals and sharp songwriting.

Following the album with back-to-back 2024 singles, “Here To Stay” and “Illusions”, this fast-rising soul dynamo is coming in hot to City Recital Hall.

Supporting Jalen Ngonda is Ella Thompson.

Ella Thompson is a musician & songwriter whose music traverses the landscape of classic & contemporary soul. Ella's lyrics explore themes of belonging, both to the microscopic & the universal. She invites listeners to contemplate the vast expanse of human emotion and the interconnectedness of all things. 
 
Ella grew up listening & learning from Australian soul Icon Renee Geyer, who mentored her as a teenager and took Ella on her first ever tour. Since then she has toured with the likes of Mark Ronson and supported artists such as Lee Fields, Thee Sacred Souls & Angel Olsen. The last 12 months has brought a prolific hot streak of releases, with 2023's breakout Domino, and the soon to be released follow-up long-player Ripple on the Wing out November 15th on Hope Street Recordings.

Thompson’s expressive vocals lean towards jazz atop some richly soulful backdrops. CLASH 

Dance Hall