Vocalist, composer, and storyteller NicoleYvette has released her new single, "Such Is the Love," featuring acclaimed jazz vocalist Kurt Elling. The song offers another glimpse into her debut album, Say Yes, arriving August 14, 2026.
Produced by three-time GRAMMY® winner Sara Gazarek, Say Yes is a deeply personal collection that traces NicoleYvette's journey from the dark night of the soul to self-discovery. The album blends original compositions with modern interpretations of classics while exploring themes of faith, love, grief, resilience, and transformation.
"I was thrilled to learn Kurt Elling agreed to record 'Such Is the Love' with me," NicoleYvette says. "That alone felt like an endorsement, a blessing. I love the song, and his voice and interpretation make me love it all the more. With three-time GRAMMY® winner Sara Gazarek's production skills, the process was easy and collaborative. Kurt and I recorded our parts separately, but I later had the chance to meet him in New York City, and it was a joy to learn he's as lovely a human being as his voice suggests."
The album features an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Kurt Elling, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joel Ross, Keyon Harrold, J. Ivy, Paul Cornish, Larry Goldings, Lenard Simpson, Geoffrey Keezer, and Amanda Taylor. The core band includes pianist and arranger Dawn Clement, guitarist Andrew Renfroe, bassist Jermaine Paul, and drummer Christian Euman.
Gazarek describes NicoleYvette as "fully formed and luminous, with no excess and no apology," praising her ability to channel the rich traditions of jazz and soul into an unmistakably personal artistic voice.
The project's title track, "Say Yes," featuring vibraphonist Joel Ross, was written during a pivotal moment in NicoleYvette's musical journey. Raised in a conservative Christian household, she found jazz became a new spiritual language after stepping away from gospel music, making the song a declaration of artistic freedom and self-expression.
Two transformative trips to India inspired several of the album's opening tracks, including "Such Is the Love," "Let It Be," and "Crossing Over," each reflecting on love, suffering, healing, and personal growth. Throughout the album, NicoleYvette draws from deeply personal experiences, including the illness and passing of her father, whose memory informs songs like "If I Could" and "Inuka Uangaze."
n addition to 10 original compositions, Say Yes includes fresh interpretations of Cole Porter's "Night and Day" and the beloved standard "What a Wonderful World."
NicoleYvette will celebrate the album with performances across California, Washington, and Oregon, culminating in her official album release show at The Royal Room in Seattle on August 30.
Say Yes arrives August 14, 2026. "Such Is the Love" featuring Kurt Elling is available to stream now.
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