9/24/20 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Nina Simone – Sinnerman (1965)

Sinnerman is an African American traditional spiritual song that has been recorded by a number of performers and has been incorporated in many other of the media and arts. The lyrics describe a sinner attempting to hide from divine justice on judgement day. It was recorded by Nina Simone in 1965.Rest in peace to Breonna Taylor…. Continue reading

6/29/20 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: Nina Simone- Mississippi Goddam

Mississippi Goddam by Nina Simone recorded session live in Antibes, July 24-25, 1965. She announced after her 1964 album Nina Simone in Concert that the anthem was her “first civil rights song”. 
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3/12/20 O&A NYC WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Nina Simone on BBC HARDtalk, 1999

HARDtalk at 20: In 1999 Tim Sebastian sat down with musician and activist Nina Simone. With her vocal performances and civil rights activism, she built a fearsome reputation as someone not to be messed with.  Continue reading

2/3/19 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Four Women: Lisa Simone, Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Angélique Kidjo

Lisa Simone, Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright and Angélique Kidjo perform Nina Simone’s classic Four Women. Continue reading

6/16/18 O&A NYC DANCE/REVIEW: Philadanco at the Joyce

By Walter Rutledge

Philadanco (Philadelphia Dance Company) opened their New York City season on June 12 at the Joyce Theater. The eleven- member ensemble performed four works by choreographers Thang Dao, Christopher L. Huggins, and two former Philadanco Company members Dawn Marie Bazemore and Tommie-Waheed Evans. The well curated program used social injustice as the evening’s theme. Continue reading

10/29/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Queens of Jazz- The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas


Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas featuring Sara Vaughan, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more.  Continue reading

8/6/16 (REPOST) Tribute To Dudley Williams: A Song For You (1986)

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In 1972, Alvin Ailey created the elegiac solo Love Songs for dancer Dudley Williams. The  sixteen minute solo, composed in three sections includes A Song for You by Donny Hathaway; Poppies by Nina Simone; and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother by Donny Hathaway. Many  thought of the work as the male equivalent of the female solo Cry (1971). Continue reading

3/17/16 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURSDAY: Nina Simone- Mississippi Goddam


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Mississippi Goddam, written and performed by singer and pianist Nina Simone, captures her response to the murder of Medgar Evers in Mississippi; and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four black children. Released on her album Nina Simone in Concert, which was based on recordings of three concerts she gave at Carnegie Hall in 1964.   Continue reading

6/5/15 O&A Shall We Dance- A Tribute To Dudley Williams: A Song For You (1986)

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In 1972, Alvin Ailey created the elegiac solo Love Songs for dancer Dudley Williams. The  sixteen minute solo, composed in three sections includes A Song for You by Donny Hathaway; Poppies by Nina Simone; and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother by Donny Hathaway. Many  thought of the work as the male equivalent of the female solo Cry (1971). Continue reading

5/30/15 O&A Its Saturday – Anything Goes: Nina Simone- The Legend

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Nina Simone,  singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist, the High Priestess Of Soul was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; 21 February 1933, Tryon, North Carolina. Her musical style arose from a fusion of Gospel and Pop songs with Classical Music, in particular with influences from her first inspiration and father of all modern music, Johann Sebastian Bach, and accompanied with her expressive Jazz-like singing in her characteristic contralto.

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 Nina Simone, candid interview from the legendary Singer plus concert footage.

The Legend- Nina Simone