Jalen Ngonda is one of the most captivating performers on today’s soul scene. His voice, equal parts raw feeling and elegance, exudes confidence and charm. At 28, his resume reads more like that of a seasoned veteran: He has performed at New York City’s Summer Stage Festival, Picktathon, Newport Folk Festival, opened for Laura Mvula and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival and sold-out houses on his own in Germany, the UK and Switzerland. Most recently, Jalen thrilled audiences and garnered rave reviews with his powerful solo performance in support of Thee Sacred Souls’ US tour. Now with a pair of widely revered singles under his belt at his new home, Daptone Records, Jalen prepares for the release of his debut LP, Come Around and Love Me. Jalen has been writing songs since he was 14, and his compositions are also very much of these times. He explains, “I love music from the 20th century— I listen to it all the time, but I’m in this world and the 21st century. ...to a stranger, I’d describe my music as modern soul and R&B, while trying to fit in the Beach Boys and the Beatles somewhere in between.” Come Around and Love Me reveals how he creates a classic approach that is rooted in the sounds of revered pioneers, without falling into imitation–leaving no doubt that Jalen will continue to shine within the superlative, timeless musical tradition that is Daptone’s hallmark. Valid identification is required for entry. Acceptable forms of ID include an unexpired US government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. Foreign passports are also accepted. Please note that expired IDs, photocopies, photographs, or digital copies of IDs will not be accepted. Join us for dinner beforehand or after right next door at our sister venue, The Turk's Inn. They're open for dinner Wed-Thurs and Sun 6pm-11pm, and Fri-Sat 6pm-midnight. Make reservations via Resy to secure your table. https://resy.com/cities/ny/the-turks-inn Please note our venue is standing room only, with very limited seating available on a first come, first served basis. We recommend arriving early to secure one of the few seats. If you require special accommodation, please inform our staff. We strive to create an inclusive, safe space here at The Sultan Room. We do not tolerate any acts of harassment, aggression, racism, bigotry or hatred of any kind. Our venue is completely wheelchair accessible, with an entry ramp, ADA bathrooms in each space, and an elevator to the rooftop. Questions? visit https://thesultanroom.com/faqs/ Presented by The Sultan Room This is a 21+ event