麻豆社

Kevin Le Gendre presents a special edition of J to Z exploring the music and legacy of Nina Simone, who would have been 90 on the 21st of February this year. Playing classic recordings and lesser-known cuts, as well as a remarkable concert from 1988, Kevin charts the breadth of Nina鈥檚 output and tells the stories behind her songs, touching on her early life as an aspiring concert pianist, her involvement in the civil rights movement and her celebration of her African identity as the High Priestess of Soul. Throughout the show we hear candid interviews with Nina Simone herself and contributions from some of the many contemporary musicians she's inspired. Vocalists Nnenna Freelon and Zara McFarlane, saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi and pianist Vijay Iyer share their favourite Nina Simone tracks, reflect on her importance and offer some deep insights into her music.

Produced by Thomas Rees for Somethin' Else