Legendary jazz icon Nina Simone will be honored in a special three-day celebration at London’s Southbank Centre in January 2025, shining a spotlight on her transformative influence on modern music and social justice.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Montreux Jazz Festival, will explore the theme “What is jazz today?” by bringing together a diverse lineup of Black female artists who embody Simone’s spirit of resilience and creativity.
The tribute will kick off on Jan. 31, 2025, at the Royal Festival Hall with a special concert titled Mississippi Goddam: A Celebration of Nina Simone.
British stars Laura Mvula and Corinne Bailey Rae will headline the show, joined by Tomorrow’s Warriors’ Nu Civilisation Orchestra under the arrangement of Jules Buckley.
This powerful homage will also feature performances by China Moses, Ni Maxine, and Tony Njoku, promising an evening that resonates with Simone’s timeless message of courage and social activism.
Day two, February 1, will see award-winning saxophonist and composer Soweto Kinch debuting his new album, Soundtrack to the Apocalypse, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Later that night, the Southbank Centre’s house band, Peng Femme Jamm, will keep Simone’s legacy alive with a spirited jam session, showcasing the vibrant talent of today’s jazz scene.
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, saying:
“Opening with two British icons—Laura Mvula and Corinne Bailey Rae—celebrating Nina Simone 26 years on since she graced the Royal Festival Hall, we are also making space for new and emerging creatives who are shaping jazz today.”
The festival’s CEO, Mathieu Jaton, added:
“Few artists have shaped the history of music and the Montreux Jazz Festival as profoundly as she has. Her legacy of resilience and artistic brilliance remains a source of inspiration for us all.”
This tribute to Simone highlights the enduring power of Black female voices in jazz, and it will offer audiences a dynamic view of how today’s artists are redefining the genre.
