Nina and Me Tour

The Nina and Me Tour was the seventh concert tour by American singer Ledisi. After the release of Ledisi's tenth album Ledisi Sings Nina (2021), the tour was revived as Ledisi Sings Nina Tour in July 2021. The Ledisi Sings Nina Tour also coincided with The Wild Card Tour (2021).

Background

In 2003, Ledisi recounted first listening to Nina Simone.After the release of her second album Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue in 2002, she reached a stagnation in her music career.

I was on my rocking chair on my porch in East Oakland, and I was depressed. This was after I recorded two albums, but I had bills, just got divorced, hated the area, and felt like I was not growing. So I decided, 'OK. This is the day. I’m going to leave this earth.' [After hearing Nina Simone's "Trouble in Mind"] It jumped me out of my skin.

After hearing Nina Simone's cover version of "Trouble in Mind" on the radio, Ledisi repudiated her thoughts of suicide and revived her career. In 2006, she secured a record deal with major label Verve Forecast Records and went on to release a total of seven albums during her duration on the label. In 2017, she incorporated songs from Simone's repertoire into her concert with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO Pops) at the Kennedy Center. In 2018, she headlined a tribute concert to Simone in New Orleans with the drummer Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. In May 2019, she embarked on the Nina and Me Tour.

Concert synopsis

During the Nina and Me Tour, Ledisi opened the show with "I Put a Spell on You" and often performed "Feeling Good" as an encore. In 2021, she revamped the set list for the tour and retitled it the Ledisi Sings Nina Tour. The set list included her single "Anything for You". Ledisi opened the show with "Feeling Good". Before performing "Trouble in Mind", she recounted how Nina Simone's version of "Trouble in Mind" helped her overcome her experiences with career stagnation, financial issues, and suicidal thoughts.

Critical reception

Shaun Brady of The Inquirer referred to the concert as "a powerful evening, a fitting tribute to a complex and brilliant artist". Brenda C. Siler of The Washington Informer reviewed Ledisi's March 13th performance at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Siler stated, "Ledisi did not attempt to mimic Simone’s unique vocal style. It was an evening where we heard Ledisi’s multi-octave vocal range. From the moment she came on stage, it was clear Ledisi intended to spread joy."

Ledisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue

On December 13, 2019, Ledisi opened her two-week residency show Ledisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue to Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California. The show was written by Ledisi and her husband Ron T. Young. It was directed by Gregg Field and produced by Billy Porter and Suzi Dietz. The residency show ended on December 29, 2019.

Broadcasts and recordings

On November 16, 2020, Ledisi announced the concert special Ledisi Live: A Tribute to Nina Simone via her Facebook. Professional footage from the residency show Ledisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue aired on American television network PBS on November 28, 2020. The concert special was recorded at Myron's Jazz Cabaret in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada by Ledisi's film company Fig Street Films.

Set list

Nina and Me Tour (2019)

1. "I Put a Spell on You"
2. "I'm Going Back Home"
3. "Be My Husband"
4. "Trouble in Mind"
5. "Four Women"
6. "Mississippi Goddam"
7. "Little Girl Blue"
8. "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"
9. "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free"
10. "Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don't Leave Me)"
11. "All the Way"
12. "Here Comes the Sun"
13. "Work Song"
14. "My Baby Just Cares for Me"
15. "Wild Is the Wind"

Encore

16. "Feeling Good"

Ledisi Sings Nina Tour (2021)

1. "Feeling Good"
2. "My Baby Just Cares for Me"
3. "Little Girl Blue"
4. "Good King Wenceslas"
5. "Trouble in Mind"
6. "Do I Move You?"
7. "Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don't Leave Me)"
8. "All the Way"
9. "Here Comes the Sun"
10. "Work Song"
11. "Wild Is the Wind"
12. "Baltimore"
13. "Shot Down"
14. "See-Line Woman"
15. "Anything for You"
16. "I Put a Spell on You"
17. "I'm Going Back Home"

Notes

• The set list for Nina and Me Tour often rearranged for different dates. On specific dates.

Tour dates

Personnel

Nina and Me Tour

• New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (May 10, 2019)
• The L.A.B Trio (July 12, 2019, October 4-19, 2019)
  • Music Director/Piano: Brandon Waddles
  • Bass: Jeremy George
  • Drums: John Davis
• Metropole Orkest (August 21, 2019 and August 26, 2019)

Ledisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue Residency

Band

• Musical Director/Piano: Brandon Waddles
• Bass: David Parks
• Drums: Brian Collier
• Guitar: Nomad
• Percussionist: Ronnie Gutiérrez
• Background vocalists: Shannon Pearson, Keisha Renee, Sara Williams

Ledisi Sings Nina

• San Diego Symphony (August 17, 2021)
• Philadelphia Orchestra (July 22, 2022)
• Nashville Symphony (November 6, 2022)
• Magik*Magik Orchestra (September 9, 2023)

Note: This list does not include the individual personnel of orchestras or symphonies.

References