Nina Simone: High Priestess of the Black Radical Musical Imagination

DJ and scholar Lynnée Denise will discuss radical musical choices made by Nina Simone in the duration of her four-decade career. From “Pirate Jenny” to “Four Women,” Nina Simone’s prowess as a pianist, singer, and songwriter was firmly rooted in her willingness to cross musical borders and take risks beyond industry standards. She used music to set the record straight and taught her listeners how jazz, blues, and soul were merely avenues to other sounds, places, and ideas. Lynnée Denise will focus on several albums and select songs in Simone’s discography and pay close attention to the technique, precision, and mastery in her musical vocabulary and how it often gets lost in the translation of her significance to American music in the 20th century.

The virtual program will take place at 1 p.m. via Zoom.