William Eddins Conductor
Ledisi Vocalist
Tribute to Nina Simone
On July 22, Ledisi, the New Orleans-born and Oakland-raised singer, pays tribute to the legendary Nina Simone with a live performance of her album Ledisi Sings Nina, accompanied by none other than The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Ledisi Sings Nina balances upbeat, big-band energy with atmospheric balladry, and an attention to historic detail that succeeds in updating the music for a modern hip-hop/R&B era. With the prowess of Ledisi’s voice, the artistry of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the messages of Simone’s music, this performance is sure to speak to a generation facing the same harsh challenges and bitter struggles of the 1960s.
Ledisi Sings Nina, the singer’s 10th album, caps more than a year of impressive achievement, including a GRAMMY® for Best Traditional R&B Performance; her first PBS TV special, Ledisi Live: A Tribute to Nina Simone; a role on HBO’s Between the World and Me; the release of her album Wild Card; and the release of her second book, Don’t Ever Lose Your Walk: How to Embrace Your Journey. Ledisi’s path forward promises to be as varied stylistically and format-wise as ever.