Archives for posts with tag: The Amazing Nina Simone

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
We’re off this week, but head on over to our archives for last week’s show with bassist Dave Holland and nearly 7 years of archived shows. And let’s get to our music listings.
 
Bassist Mimi Jones leads a jam session in the late set at Smoke on December 5th and continuing on Monday nights. She’s also leading an ensemble at Spanish Manor in Newark NJ on the 6th as part of the Blues People Festival.
 
Pianist and keyboardist Marc Cary is at Nublu in the East Village on the 5th as part of the Nublu Jazz Fest.
 
Saxophonist Gary Bartz is at The Blue Note on December 5-6 with pianist McCoy Tyner.
 
The documentary film The Amazing Nina Simone will be shown at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem on December 6.
 
Pianist Barry Harris leads a trio at the Village Vanguard from December 6-13.
 
Drummer JT Lewis is at Nublu in the East Village with Harriet Tubman on the 7th as part of the Nublu Jazz Fest.
 
Vocalist/guitarist Toshi Reagon will be at HarlemStage from December 7-11 for “Can I Get a Witness: The Gospel of James Baldwin”.
 
Drummer and percussionist Bobby Sanabria is at the Baruch College Performing Arts Center with Gene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble on December 8.
 
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin is at Lincoln Center’s Rubenstein Atrium for a free concert on December 8th.
 
The Sun Ra Arkestra led by Marshall Allen returns to Earth with two sets at Nublu in the East Village on the 9th as part of the Nublu Jazz Fest.
 
Saxophonist Billy Harper is at Nublu in the East Village on the 11th as part of the Nublu Jazz Fest.
 
Bassist Richard Bona is at Club Bonafide on December 16th.
 
Drummer Michael Carvin leads the Michael Carvin Experience at Kitano from December 16-17th.
 
Saxophonist Gary Bartz leads a John Coltrane tribute at Smoke from December 16-19th.
 
Pianist Vijay Iyer is at the Asia Society on the 15-16th and Harlem Stage Gatehouse with trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith on the 19th.
 
Drummer and percussionist Will Calhoun’s gallery exhibit of his visual art collaboration Aza is on view at the Bronx Music Heritage Center through February 11. We reviewed the show earlier this year.
 
Finally, looking much further ahead, the Winter Jazz Fest has released a teaser and preliminary lineup for the 2017 shinding from January 5-10! We’ll have a lot more to say about it, but for now, we’ll point you to their promo video with the highlights.
 

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is scheduled to be back on WBAI‘s airwaves on December 11. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

Advertisement

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
This week’s show features bassist Dave Holland! You can see him at Birdland this week from November 29th to December 3rd. And let’s get to our music listings.
 
Bassist Mimi Jones leads a jam session in the late set at Smoke on November 28th, December 5th, and continuing on Monday nights.
 
Drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts is at St. Peter’s Church in Manhattan on November 29 with several other musicians for a benefit concert for the Syrian American Medical Society.
 
Guitarist Marc Ribot has a residency at The Stone from November 30 – December 4. Bassist Henry Grimes joins him for a trio on the 1st and drummer Milford Graves joins him for the late set on the 3rd.
 
Also joining Chick Corea at The Blue Note is saxophonist Ravi Coltrane for a Return to Forever tribute from the 30th-December 4th.
 
Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington is at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem on December 1st for a discussion about her music.
 
Saxophonist David Murray is at Lincoln Center’s Rubenstein Atrium for a free concert on December 1st.
 
Pianist and keyboardist Marc Cary leads the Harlem Sessions at Ginny’s Supper Club on December 1st.
 
Pianist Randy Weston leads the African Rhythms Quintet with bassist Alex Blake and saxophonist Billy Harper at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club on the 2nd.
 
Saxophonist Gary Bartz is at The Blue Note on December 5-6 with pianist McCoy Tyner.
 
The documentary film The Amazing Nina Simone will be shown at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem on December 6.
 
Pianist Barry Harris leads a trio at the Village Vanguard from December 6-13.
 
Vocalist/guitarist Toshi Reagon will be at HarlemStage from December 7-11 for “Can I Get a Witness: The Gospel of James Baldwin”.
 
Drummer and percussionist Bobby Sanabria is at the Baruch College Performing Arts Center with Gene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble on December 8.
 
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin is at Lincoln Center’s Rubenstein Atrium for a free concert on December 8th.
 
Drummer and percussionist Will Calhoun’s gallery exhibit of his visual art collaboration Aza is on view at the Bronx Music Heritage Center through February 11. We reviewed the show earlier this year.
 
Finally, looking much further ahead, the Winter Jazz Fest has released a teaser and preliminary lineup for the 2017 shinding from January 5-10! We’ll have a lot more to say about it, but for now, we’ll point you to their promo video with the highlights.
 

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is scheduled to be back on WBAI‘s airwaves on December 11. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
This week’s guests are harpist Riza Printup and trumpeter Marcus Printup. Also scroll down for our coverage of the NEA Jazz Masters tribute concert in a previous post. As usual, we have lots more music for you this week.
 
We start this week with the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, whose 17th annual jazz festival kicked off on the 15th and runs until May 15th in venues throughout Brooklyn. WBAI Radio is a media sponsor. You can get full information and a schedule from the CBJC by calling 718-773-2252 ext 103.
 
Pianist Harold Mabern leads a trio at Smalls on the 20th.
 
Bassist Alex Blake and WBAI World of Jazz host Dwight Brewster are at Staten Island’s The Gallery on the 22nd. This event’s part of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival.
 
Drummer and visual artist Will Calhoun is at the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education in the South Bronx on the 22nd for a performance and reception to open the show of his visual art, which is on display until July 21st.
 
Pianist/vocalist Andy Bey is at Mezzrow from the 22nd-23rd.
 
Guitarist Pat Metheny returns to the area for a series of shows with bassist Ron Carter. The duo are at Norwalk CT’s Infinity Hall on April 20-21, Cape May NJ’s Exit Zero Jazz Fest on the 23rd, and Newton NJ’s Newton Theater on the 24th.
 
Also at Exit Zero is vocalist René Marie, who takes the stage on the 23rd.
 
Celebrating_Jayne_Cortez_500
 
Poet/vocalist Latasha Nevada Diggs hosts a free tribute to the late poet Jayne Cortez at Highline Ballroom on the 23rd.
 
Saxophonist “Sweet Poppa” Lou Donaldson has a free outdoor concert at the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education Rooftop in the South Bronx on the 23rd.
 
Jeff Lieberman’s The Amazing Nina Simone documentary film screens at the Lower East Side’s Metrograph Theater on the 23rd.
 

 
Pianist/keyboardist Marc Cary is at Ginny’s Supper Club on the 23rd.
 
Percussionist Steve Kroon is at the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights for Jazz Vespers on the 24th. This event’s part of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival.
 
Saxophonist Tia Fuller is at The Blue Note on the 25th with the Berklee Rainbow All Stars.
 
Pianist Randy Weston leads the African Rhythms ensemble with bassist Alex Blake in the Dweck Center of the Brooklyn Public Library’s main branch on the 26th. Weston returns to the Dweck Center on the 30th for a talk on the African roots of jazz. These events are part of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival.
 
Looking further ahead, Saxophonist Oliver Lake and bassist Reggie Workman are at Village Vanguard with TRIO3 from April 26-May 1.
 
Drummer Billy Cobham is at The Blue Note from April 27-May 1 with Donald Harrison.
 
Drummer Kim Thompson leads a quartet at Zinc Bar on the 29th.
 
Saxophonist Ahmed Abdullah leads his DIASPORA band at Sistas’ Place on April 30. This event’s part of the Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival.
 
Pianist Geri Allen is at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club on April 30 with Joe Lovano.
 
Finally, The Red Bull Music Academy has a night of spiritual Jazz featuring Pharoah Sanders, the Sun Ra Arkestra, and Kamasi Washington on May 8. The event’s listed as sold out, but details are at the Red Bull Music Academy site and there may be a wait list.
 
That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is back on WBAI‘s airwaves on May 1. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
This week’s show is a preview of the upcoming Winter Jazz Fest and our guest is festival director Brice Rosenbloom. Now let’s take a look at some upcoming gigs.
 
Jeff Lieberman’s The Amazing Nina Simone documentary film is at Hartford CT’s Real Art Ways until December 17th.
 
Pianist Geri Allen is at the Village Vanguard from the 15-20.
 
Pianist Marc Cary hosts The Harlem Sessions at The Gin Fizz on the 17th.
 
Saxophonist Gary Bartz leads a quartet at Smoke from the 18-21.
 
Guitarist Marc Ribot has two dates at The Stone. He appears with a trio on the 20 and with John Zorn on the 29th.
 
Pianist and vocalist Diane Schuur is at Iridium for a Frank Sinatra centennial celebration from the 26-28.
 
That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is back on WBAI‘s airwaves on December 27. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
Suga’ in My Bowl is off the air this week: we’re back on December 13th. If you missed our last show with vibraphonist Gary Burton, then head on over to our our audio archives for that and much more. Now let’s take a look at some upcoming gigs.
 
Jeff Lieberman’s The Amazing Nina Simone documentary film is at Hudson NY’s Time and Space until the 10th and Hartford CT’s Real Art Ways from the 11-17.
 
Bassist Christian McBride leads a trio at the Village Vanguard from December 8-13.
 
Drummer/percussionist Bobby Sanabria is at Baruch College’s Performing Arts Center with Gene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble on December 8.
 
Douglas Ewart plays with Wadada Leo Smith at Roulette in Brooklyn on December 10 as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration of AACM New York.
 
Pianist Marc Cary hosts The Harlem Sessions at The Gin Fizz on December 10 and 17.
 
Master drummer Michael Carvin is at Kitano on December 11 and 12th.
 
Saxophonist “Sweet Poppa” Lou Donaldson leads a quartet at Flushing Town Hall on December 12.
 
Blues vocalist Alexis P. Suter is at the Turning Point in Piermont NY on December 12.
 
Organist John Medeski is at The Stone with John Zorn on December 13.
 
The documentary Baddddd Sonia Sanchez screens at the New York African Diaspora Film Festival on the 13th.
 
Pianist Geri Allen is at the Village Vanguard from December 15-20.
 
Saxophonist Gary Bartz leads a quartet at Smoke from December 18-21.
 
That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is back on WBAI‘s airwaves on December 13. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
This week’s guest is vibraphonist Gary Burton! He has no upcoming NYC area performances, but we’ll let you know when he’ll be here again. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at some upcoming gigs.
 
Poet jessica Care moore is at the Blue Note with pianist Marc Cary on November 30.
 
Pianist Randy Weston is at New School University’s Tishman Auditorium with Senegalese master drummers for a tribute to Doudou N’Diaye Rose on November 30.
 
Bassist Christian McBride leads two different trios at the Village Vanguard from December 1-6 and 8-13.
 
Jeff Lieberman’s The Amazing Nina Simone documentary film is at Hudson NY’s Time and Space from the 3-10 and Hartford CT’s Real Art Ways from the 11-17.
 
Drummer/percussionist Bobby Sanabria is at Baruch College’s Performing Arts Center with Gene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble on December 8.
 
Douglas Ewart plays with Wadada Leo Smith at Roulette in Brooklyn on December 10 as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration of AACM New York.
 
Pianist Marc Cary hosts The Harlem Sessions at The Gin Fizz on December 3 and 10.
 
Master drummer Michael Carvin is at Kitano on December 11 and 12th.
 
Saxophonist “Sweet Poppa” Lou Donaldson leads a quartet at Flushing Town Hall on December 12.
 
Blues vocalist Alexis P. Suter is at the Turning Point in Piermont NY on December 12.
 
Organist John Medeski is at The Stone with John Zorn on December 13.
 
Pianist Geri Allen is at the Village Vanguard from December 15-20.
 

That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is back on WBAI‘s airwaves on December 6. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
This week’s guest is trumpeter Hugh Masekela! He has no upcoming performances in the NYC area, though listeners in the Midwest and on the West Coast should check his site for dates with Larry Willis and see our review of their performance at Jazz Standard. And we have lots more music for you this week.
 
The Doc NYC Festival continues until the 19th and has several films of interest to jazz fans. The Sonia Sanchez documentary Baddd Sonia Sanchez screens on the 18th and 19th. The Jazz Loft According to W Eugene Smith collects material from the extensive recordings and photographs from Smith’s years in a Sixth Ave loft building frequented by several jazz luminaries and screens on the 16th. Finally, Liz Garbus’s Nina Simone documentary What Happened Miss Simone? Screens on the 17th and 18th. The Doc NYC website has showtimes and details and you can find links to everything and a festival preview on our blog.
 
If you missed the weeklong run of Jeff Lieberman’s The Amazing Nina Simone documentary in NYC, you’ve got another shot on the 18th, when it screens at Huntington LI’s Cinema Arts Centre. Those of you (far) north of the city can catch it in Rhinebeck NY on the 20th and Woodstock on the 21st at Upstate Films.
 
Vibraphonist Roy Ayers is at the Blue Note from November 17-22.
 
Pianist Harold Mabern leads a trio at Small’s on the 18th and is with Steve Davis’s sextet at Smoke from the 27-29th.
 
Drummer/percussionist Bobby Sanabria leads the Multiverse Big Band at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club from November 19-22.
 
Percussionist Adam Rudolph leads “GO”: the guitar orchestra in a CD release party at Roulette in Brooklyn on the 23rd.
 
Trombonist Dick Griffin is at The Stone on the 24th.
 
Bassist Larry Ridley is at The Stone on November 27th.
 
Drummer Alphonse Mouzon is at BB King’s with Larry Coryell for a Jimi Hendrix birthday tribute on the 27th.
 
Saxophonist René McLean is at The Cell Theatre on the 28th.
 
Drummer/percussionist Will Calhoun and vocalist Nona Hendryx will be at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater on the 29th in Parallel Lives: Billie Holiday and Edith Piaf.
 
Poet jessica Care moore is at the Blue Note on November 30.
 
Bassist Christian McBride leads two different trios at the Village Vanguard from December 1-6 and 8-13.
 
That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is back on WBAI‘s airwaves on November 29. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

bandstand_picPhoto Credit: Hank Williams

Welcome to Suga in My Bowl radio‘s weekly feature, On The Bandstand, where we collect upcoming NYC area shows from current and past Suga’ guests. We’re online weekly and on the air on NYC’s WBAI-FM radio alternate Sunday nights from 11 PM -1 AM. Keep up with us via Facebook, the blog here, or our main website, or Twitter and we’ll keep track of the schedule for you.
 
WBAI_F15_Drive
 
WBAI’s fall fund drive is coming to an end, which means you have one more chance to pledge for the DVD of our “Who Owns Music” panel discussion from earlier this year. Even a relatively small pledge of $5 helps a lot and sends the message to station management that people want to hear jazz and will support it. Now let’s see what else is going on musically this week.
 
Pianist Vijay Iyer is at the Met Museum of Art on the 12th with Holding it Down: the Veteran’s Dreams Project.
 
Bassist Christian McBride is at NJPAC in Newark NJ on November 12 and returns to play with vocalist Dianne Reeves on the 14. Both events are part of the James Moody Jazz Festival.
 
The Doc NYC Festival from the 12-17th has several films of interest to jazz fans – and a few definitely to keep an eye on for Suga’ fans. The Sonia Sanchez documentary Baddd Sonia Sanchez, will get screenings, as will The Jazz Loft According to W Eugene Smith, culled from the extensive and eclectic ephemera of the photographer’s years in a Sixth Ave loft building frequented by several jazz luminaries, and Hustler’s Convention featuring members of The Last Poets.
 
Saxophonist René McLean is at Sista’s Place in Brooklyn on the 14th.
 
Trumpeter Hugh Masekela is at Monmouth University in West Long Branch NJ with Larry Willis on November 14 and the Landmark in Port Washington Long Island on the 15th. See our review of Masekela and Willis at Jazz Standard for a preview of what you’ll see.
 
The Wilbur Ware Institute’s annual festival/fundraiser is at the new Cassandra’s Jazz club in Harlem this year and features pianist Harold Mabern and pianist/vocalist Andy Bey on November 14 and presents a lifetime achievement award to bassist Bob Cranshaw on the 15.
 
Vibraphonist Roy Ayers is at the Blue Note from November 17-22.
 
If you missed the weeklong run of Jeff Lieberman’s The Amazing Nina Simone documentary in NYC, you’ve got another shot on the 18th, when it screens at Huntington LI’s Cinema Arts Centre. Those of you (far) north of the city can catch it in Rhinebeck NY on the 20th and Woodstock on the 21st at Upstate Films.
 
Drummer/percussionist Bobby Sanabria leads the Multiverse Big Band at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club from November 19-22.
 
That’s all for now. Suga’ in My Bowl is back on WBAI‘s airwaves on November 15. We’ll also have another edition of “On the Bandstand” online next Sunday with a fresh set of listings.
 
—-
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

NINA-Website
When we did a show on Nina Simone back in July, Joyce Jones interviewed Liz Garbus, who directed What Happened, Miss Simone?, then a new release on Netflix and enjoying a theatrical run. It was heavily influenced by Simone’s daughter Lisa Simone Kelly, who was the film’s executive producer.
 
Joyce also interviewed Simone’s brother, Dr. Sam Waymon, in relation to another Simone film in the works. That film is the Jeff Lieberman-directed The Amazing Nina Simone and we’re happy to report via the Shadow and Act film blog that it has an initial week-long run until October 22 at AMC Empire in our hometown of NYC and in limited release elsewhere, with wider release planned across the US on the 23rd and in November.
 
The films appear to take different approaches to covering Simone, with the new film features over 50 interviews with former Simone bandmates, family members, and Simone scholars to trace her career, where the earlier production leaned on archival footage of Simone herself.
 
While we haven’t seen the new film yet, obviously there’s room for several approaches to tell the story of someone as complex and fascinating as Nina Simone. Both documentaries are good pre-emptive reality checks on the forthcoming Nina biopic, which has been criticized for the choice of Zoe Saldana to play Simone and the ensuing decision to darken her skin and add prostheses to make her more resemble the character, choices Simone Kelly told the Huffington Post were “a further example of how much this project really just veered away from what the truth was”.
 
While The Amazing Nina Simone might be held over if it does well, it’s best to get to the theater during the initial run, especially since further release of films often hinges on how well they do in their initial runs in larger markets. And if you haven’t seen What Happened, Miss Simone? yet, the good news is that you can still catch it on Netflix.
 
###
 
While we’re talking film, a reminder that director Carol Bash’s documentary film on pianist Mary Lou Williams, The Lady Who Swings the Band, screens at the ReelSisters film festival on October 25th at LIU’s downtown Brooklyn campus.
 

The Amazing Nina Simone – Documentary Feature Trailer from Re-Emerging Films on Vimeo.

Much beloved and often misunderstood, the story of Americaʼs most overlooked musical genius is finally brought to light in “The Amazing Nina Simone.” Director Jeff L. Lieberman (”Re-Emerging: The Jews of Nigeria”) brings audiences on Nina’s journey from the segregated South, through the worlds of classical music, jazz joints & international concert halls. Navigating through the twists & turns of the 1960’s fight for racial equality, the film delves deep into Nina’s artistry and intentions, answering long-held questions behind Ninaʼs most beloved songs, bold style, controversial statements, and the reason she left America. Opens in Theatres October 16th. http://www.amazingnina.com

 
Hank Williams is an associate producer for Suga’ in My Bowl on WBAI Radio and webmaster for the Suga’ and Behind the Mic sites. He is also a PhD candidate in English and Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and teaches at Hunter and Lehman Colleges and The City College of New York.

%d bloggers like this: