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MeShell NdegeOcello

Following the release of 2011′s critically acclaimed Weather, Meshell Ndegeocello announces the release of her 10th studio album, Pour une âme souveraine (“For a sovereign soul”), a dedication to fellow musician Nina Simone. Joined by musicians Chris Bruce (guitar), Jebin Bruni (keys) and Deantoni Parks (drums), the singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, and vocalist reworked some of the tracks made famous by the iconic musician. Guests on the album include Sinead O’Connor, Lizz Wright, Valerie June, Tracy Wannomae, Toshi Reagon and Cody ChesnuTT. To celebrate the release of the album, Meshell is sharing the iconic track “Be My Husband,” which just premiered on NPR. Flush with stomps, claps and chants, Meshell is accompanied on vocals by New York singer-songwriter Valerie June.

After only ten days in the studios of guitarist Pete Min, this album was born, reflecting Meshell’s admiration for the pioneering work of an artist who refused to be owned by genre, industry, or expectation. As Meshell describes, this album is “a dedication to Nina Simone and her incredible influence but it is also a dedication to the single, interior life we all experience.” Revered by Meshell, Nina Simone was a powerful influence both musically and politically. Her music was highly instrumental in the fight for equal rights in the United States. “She wanted success, was pressured to make hits, but her own sound was still irrepressible,” explains Meshell. “She had things to say, she protested. She was a loud, proud black, female voice during a time when black female voices were not encouraged to make themselves heard.”

Comprised of a mix of traditional classics (“Feelin’ Good”), songs written by Nina Simone (“Real Real”), or for her (“To Be Young, Gifted and Black” by Weldon Irvine), the album represents a full spectrum of Nina Simone’s work and life. From the pulsing of the traditional ballad “House Of The Rising Sun,” the velvety, soul filled vocals of “Feeling Good,” and a bluegrass duet with Sinead O’Connor in “Don’t Take All Night,” Meshell Ndegeocello gives a subtle spin to the tracks off the Pour une âme souveraine.

“We really wanted to do something we felt was true to Nina Simone. By that realizing it meant we had to do what felt true to us,” says Chris Bruce, who co-produced the album along with Meshell and wrote the arrangements. “The aim was not to re-create the existing versions, because we felt strongly that the only way to honor Nina would be for Meshell to find her own voice in the material.

Meshell Ndegeocello at SFJAZZ Center

by Harry S. Pariser
February 2, 2025

Meshell Ndegeocello No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA January 17, 2025 The works and courageous career of writer and novelist James Baldwin (August 2, 1924--December 1, 1987) had an immense impact on many people. One of them is bassist and songwriter/composer Meshell Ndegeocello, who first composed some of the tunes on her latest CD, No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin around a decade ago. ...

Radio & Podcasts

The Jazz Worlds of James Baldwin - Part 1

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 5, 2024

The centennial of writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin offers a great opportunity to look into the call and response which has been going on, for decades, between Baldwin's inner world and the world of jazz. Here is a set featuring music inspired by his writings and tunes by musicians we was connected with. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Sébastien Texier, Christophe Marguet “Another Country ...

Radio & Podcasts

Meshell Ndegeocello, Shaun Martin, Patricia Brennan and Kiki Valera

by Hobart Taylor
August 14, 2024

Music from Meshell Ndegeocello from No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, remembering pianist Shaun Martin, Patricia Brennan's new release Breaking Stretch and the latest from guitarist Kiki Valera.Playlist Kiki Valera “Funfuñando" from Vacilon Santiaguero (Circle 9 Records) 0:00 Jane Bunnett & Maqueque “Bolero a un Sueño" from Playing With Fire (Linus) 5:32 Dafnis Prieto “Conga Ingenua" from 3 Sides of the Coin (Dafnison) 10:54 Host Speaks 19:18 Catherine Russell and Sean Mason “South To A Warmer" ...

Play This!

Meshell Ndegeocello: Gatsby

by Scott Lichtman
February 10, 2024

For 2024, the Grammys introduced a new category for Best Alternative Jazz Album, i.e. a genre-blending, envelope-pushing hybrid that mixes jazz with other styles. The first winner is Meshell Ndegeocello for The Omnichord Real Book. While Ndegeocello's pieces span jazz, hip hop, African, folk, and electronica influences, she's also capable of writing beautiful ballads. Have a listen to “Gatsby." Is it a fresh perspective on the classic novel The Great Gatsby or perhaps a reflection about her life... or yours? ...

Radio & Podcasts

A Hip-Hop Jazz Thing @50 - Part 2

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 22, 2023

This week we take a look back at decades of cross pollination between jazz and hip-hop, with a focus on international projects and on collaborations between jazz and hip-hop artists. Our little contribution to the celebrations of half a century of hip-hop. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Dream Warriors “My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" And Now the Legacy Begins (Island Records, 4th & Broadway) ...

Album Review

Sam Gendel: Cookup

by Scott Gudell
May 13, 2023

Saxophonist Sam Gendel has sent out an invitation to an unusual sonic Cookup. So what is he serving? Who will be there? Will beat poets merge with experimental musicians in a smoky jazz grotto? Will it be a cryptic musical labyrinth or a collection of meandering songs? Is it a transcription of ancient African organic rhythms or something more modern? The answer is elusive and, by design, a moving target. There are bits and pieces of all the ...

Album Review

Pat Metheny: From This Place

Read "From This Place" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
May 23, 2020

When a musician of Pat Metheny's pedigree writes, “From This Place is one of the records I have been waiting to make my whole life," it seems prudent to listen. Each of these ten new compositions seems to reflect a different aspect of Metheny as composer and guitarist, casting his bright and articulate voice in various configurations of his core band (Welsh pianist Gwilym Simcock, Malaysian/Australian bassist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Antonio Sanchez, whose tenure with ...

Event

Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival Features Meshell Ndegeocello, Will Calhoun Trio, Christian Scott And More

Source: Berklee Media Relations
July 17, 2013

On September 28, music lovers of all ages will gather for the 13th Annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival in Boston’s historic South End – home to several legendary clubs during Boston’s jazz heyday. The all-day, free outdoor event will offer contemporary jazz, Latin, blues, and soul acts on three stages. Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM), one of the world’s leading asset managers, is the presenting sponsor of the festival and will present a $5,000 scholarship to a student musician. Past ...
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140

Performance / Tour

Meshell Ndegeocello: Three Nights of Prince Covers

Source: JamBase
February 16, 2011

TWO SHOWS IN LOS ANGELES; ONE IN OAKLAND AND ONE IN SAN FRANCISCO Meshell Ndegeocello will be performing four shows on the West Coast next month: March 3 and 10 at Cafe Largo in Los Angeles, March 12 at The New Parish in Oakland, and March 13 at the Independent in San Francisco. For the March 3 date at Largo, Meshell will be performing duets with Chris Bruce and playing songs from throughout her career, including her most recent release, ...
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143

Event

Meshell Ndegeocello Confirmed for NYC Jazz Foundation Benefit

Source: Lisa Cooney Carter
May 24, 2007

DOWNTOWN NYC MUSICIANS PLAY FOR JAZZ FOUNDATION AND REMEMBER DRUMMER LANCE CARTER WITH SPECIAL GUESTS CASSANDRA WILSON, MESHELL NDGEOCELLO New York, NY - Friends and colleagues of the late New York drummer, Lance Carter, announce a benefit evening of performances by leading New York City avant-garde and experimental musicians. The Lance Carter Memorial Benefit for the Musicians' Emergency Fund of the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) will take place at the downtown music club, THE KNITTING FACTORY at 74 Leonard ...
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125

Recording

First 2005 Release From Mack Avenue Records Will Be Ron Blake's 'Sonic Tonic,' Produced By Meshell Ndegeocello

Source: All About Jazz
January 12, 2005

109

Event

Meshell Ndegeocello, Cassandra Wilson, And Stephanie Mills To Perform At "You Rock My Soul" Gmhc's Benefit Concert At Carnegie Hall On November 11th

Source: All About Jazz
September 30, 2002

September 30, 2002 - New York, NY - Critically acclaimed musician and songwriter, Meshell Ndegeocello will perform at “You Rock My Soul", a star-studded gala event at Carnegie Hall on November 11th, 7:30pm-9:30pm benefiting Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC). Ndegeocello will also serve as the event's musical director. The celebrity-hosted fundraiser will feature performances by many of today's leading recording artists in unique and unprecedented collaborations.

“Like good music, GMHC has found community in tragedy, survival in the face of ...
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187

Event

Cassandra Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Rahsaan Patterson, Bilal, Mark Cohn, And Yerba Buena Featuring Andre Levin Set To Join Meshell Ndegeocello For GMHC'S "You Rock My Soul", An Aids Benefit Concert

Source: All About Jazz

Carnegie Hall, November 11th.

Tony Award Winner, Heather Headley, To Perform At Exclusive Post-Concert Reception At Club Guastavinos.

Critically acclaimed musician and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello will be joined on stage by Cassandra Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Rahsaan Patterson, Bilal, Mark Cohn and Yerba Buena featuring Andre Levin for You Rock My Soul, in a star-studded gala event at New York's Carnegie Hall on November 11th (7:30pm-9:30pm) benefiting Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC).

Meshell Ndegeocello, who plays double duty as musical director ...
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