Nina Simone’s Music [] Teatro Santa Ana at La Biblioteca

By Tere Urtusástegui

As part of the extraordinary concerts of the XXVII International Jazz and Blues Festival, “The Music of Nina Simone” will be presented, this Saturday, August 28, in the courtyard of the Public Library, Insurgentes # 25, Centro, at 4:30 p.m.

Eunice Kathleen Waymon (Tryon, United States, February 21, 1933-Carry-le-Rouet, France, April 21, 2003), better known by her stage name Nina Simone, was an American singer, songwriter and jazz pianist, blues, rhythm and blues and soul. She is known by the nickname High Priestess of Soul. Stylistically, the word that best characterizes Nina Simone is eclecticism. Her voice, with a alto range, was characterized by her passion, her breathiness (gasping, gasping, breathless voice) and her tremolo.

Her first hit song in America was her rendition of George Gershwin’s “I Loves You, Porgy” (1958). It peaked at # 18 on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 chart. During that same period, Simone recorded “My Baby Just Cares for Me”, which would become her biggest hit years after her.

Among the best-known songs from her Philips albums include “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” on Broadway-Blues-Ballads (1964); “I Put a Spell on You”, “Ne me quitte pas” (an interpretation of a song by Jacques Brel) and “Feeling Good” in I Put a Spell On You (1965); and “Lilac Wine” and “Wild Is the Wind” in Wild is the Wind (1966). The influence of Duke Ellington is evident in all of Nina’s work, but especially in certain types of compositions brimming with improvisation and spiritual closeness.

The musicians who will perform Nina’s music: Victoria Reed, is an American singer-songwriter known for being the daughter of Alto Saxophonist Reed (Bob Seger and Silver Bullet Band). She has published more than a dozen songs and they have received thousands of broadcasts on Spotify and Youtube. Erik Deutsch is an American pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, conductor, and educator. He runs his own Outlaw Jazz band and was a founding member of Fat Mama. Deutsch is also known for his work with Charlie Hunter, Leftover Salmon, Dixie Chicks, Shooter Jennings, and Citizen Cope.

Never Rodrigo, singer, songwriter and guitarist, belongs to a new generation of Mexican musicians creating his own projects and collaborations with international musicians. Antonio Lozoya on bass, musician experienced in various musical styles and graduated from the Escuela Superior de Música with a degree in Jazz.

The Festival is a non-profit organization that preserves the culture of jazz and blues in Mexico. If you would like to support this organization with a donation and apply for US tax benefits, please visit our website: www.sanmigueljazz.com.mx to get in touch and we will be happy to provide details about your contribution.

Tickets at the Santa Ana Public Library, Relox # 50- A, Centro or by PayPal: https://www.sanmigueljazz.com.mx/index.php/concerts-tickets/

Do not miss it!

The Teatro Santa Ana is an intimate 91-seat theater, located inside the Biblioteca Publica. For over 20 years, the Teatro Santa Ana has been a premiere venue for theatrical productions, musical concerts, films and conferences in Centro historico San Miguel de Allende.