One of the highlights of the 35th Jazzkaar festival was the closing concert by Ledisi, a GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, actress, and producer. Making her debut performance in Estonia, Ledisi prepared a special program dedicated to one of her greatest inspirations in life and music, Nina Simone.
Ledisi has undeniably secured her place among the greatest singers of her generation with 10 studio albums, sold-out tours and a GRAMMY® Award for her song ‘Anything For You,’ along with 14 nominations. Coming from a family of professional musicians, Ledisi naturally gravitated towards a musical career, initially studying opera singing and piano.
In addition to her remarkable performances on stage, Ledisi also showcases her talents in various other artistic realms. She has graced Broadway, appeared in movies, and starred in TV series. Notably, in 2015, she portrayed the iconic Mahalia Jackson in the Academy Award-winning movie Selma. Beyond acting, Ledisi leads a record label and is an accomplished author, penning books such as ‘Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love, and Power’ (2012). Furthermore, she shares her expertise as a Professor at Berklee College of Music and serves as an Artist in Residence for Berklee’s Jazz and Gender Justice Program.
Throughout her life, Ledisi has been inspired by numerous icons, one of whom is the legendary Nina Simon, ‘’the first lady of Soul’’. Three years ago, in 2021, Ledisi recorded an album titled Ledisi Sings Nina, which earned her a GRAMMY® Award nomination. Fortunately, the audience at Jazzkaar had the privilege of hearing most of the songs from this album performed live.
It came as no surprise that Ledisi’s concert at Jazzkaar was a sold-out event. JAIK was filled with music enthusiasts eager to enjoy a spectacular performance! The show kicked off with Ledisi and her band performing Nina Simone’s iconic song, ‘Feeling Good’. It’s remarkable to note that despite its eventual popularity, this legendary song did not achieve immediate success. In fact, many years passed before it gained recognition, with a turning point occurring when Simone’s recording was featured in a 90’s Volkswagen commercial.
Nina Simone once said, “To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt, and that’s not what I play. I play black classical music.” Indeed, Nina Simone gained fame and respect as an advocate of “black music.” Her lyrics reflected the times she lived in, and it was important to her that her voice and message were heard by the people.
During the concert, Ledisi highlighted that Nina Simone was a woman who loved and wanted to be loved. Throughout her career, Simone recorded and performed many songs about love. The audience in Tallinn had the chance to hear some of these performed by Ledisi, including ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’, ‘Do I Move You’, and ‘Be My Husband’. But Nina Simone didn’t just perform her own love songs! Everyone remembers her cover of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s ‘I Put A Spell On You’ (1956), which she recorded in 1964. Sixty years later, in 2024, we had the privilege of hearing this piece performed by Ledisi and her band.
A standout moment of the concert was the rendition of Jacques Brel’s iconic ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’ (1959). This timeless piece, translated into numerous languages and performed by artists worldwide, including the legendary Nina Simone, held a special place in the hearts of many. Ledisi paid homage to Nina Simone by performing the English version of this song at the prestigious GRAMMY® Awards in 2022.
A heartfelt thank you to all the talented artists who honor and remember the legends of jazz music. Through their dedication, we are able to revel in the timeless masterpieces and greatest hits that were recorded and performed many years ago. Concerts like Ledisi Sings Nina offer a unique opportunity for audiences to not only immerse themselves in the golden classics but also to experience these treasured pieces from a fresh, contemporary perspective—the perspective of today’s jazz artists. While these performances may not significantly alter the originals, each musician on stage infuses their own unique essence, adding a new dimension to the beloved standards.
The evening’s charm was enhanced by the enchanting performance of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ (1969), a well-known song by The Beatles’ George Harrison. Nina Simone’s cover of the song took it to new heights and became a favorite for many. While preferences between versions are subjective, the Tallinn audience enjoyed and celebrated each interpretation, including Ledisi’s heartfelt version.
As Ledisi and her band finished their performance and left the stage, the audience at JAIK still wanted more. Seeing this, Ledisi and her band returned to loud applause for an encore. One of the extra songs was Nina Simone’s memorable ‘I’m Going Back Home’, a touching song that resonates with anyone who loves their homeland, evoking feelings of nostalgia and belonging. With Nina Simone’s timeless lyrics, the final notes of Ledisi Sings Nina echoed through the venue:
“I’m going back home where I was born
First I planned to stay but I can’t live this way
Miss friendly faces and the country smiles
I’m going back home where I was born…”
Ledisi Sings Nina
28th of April 2024, 8:30 pm at JAIK
The band:
Ledisi – vocal
Brandon Waddles – piano
Antone “Chooky” Caldwell – bass, guitar
Greg Clark – drums