Simone-ized with extra polish

[Serial_Apologist]

Sat 18 Feb
5pm - J to Z
In the first of today's two programmes celebrating the singular American singer/songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone - ahead of Tuesday's 90th anniversary of her birth - Kevin Le Gendre explores her music and legacy. Featuring classic recordings, lesser-known tracks and highlights of a remarkable 1988 concert. Le Gendre also tells the stories behind her songs, touching on her early life as an aspiring concert pianist, her involvement in the civil rights movement and her celebration of her African identity. The programme features archive candid interviews with Simone, who died in 2003. Vocalists Nnenna Freelon and Zara McFarlane, saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi and pianist Vijay Iyer share their favourite tracks and reflect on her legacy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001j4r8

12midnight - Freeness
Corey Mwamba celebrates Nina Simone. Plus recordings by Australian bass clarinettist Aviva Endean and British supergroup Union Division.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001c74b

Sun 19 Feb
4pm - Jazz Record Requests
Alyn Shipton showcases Nina Simone to mark Tuesday's 90th anniversary of her birth. Including an excerpt from her last radio interview in the UK.

http://www.alynshipton.co.uk/blog

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001j4rr

[JasonPalmer]

You don't have to live next door to me, just give me my equality ....... an amazing performer.

[Serial_Apologist]

You don't have to live next door to me, just give me my equality ....... an amazing performer.

[Serial_Apologist]

Hats off again for a splendid J to Z edition devoted to Ms Simone. Well done folks!

[JasonPalmer]

I only managed to catch a bit of it, one to use listen again for.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Alyn's Nina Simone JRR this afternoon looks pretty comprehensive, a v fine selection. I'd have added Mississippi God-damn (didn't see it?), but Backlash Blues is there. As it should.

[Jazzrook]

Alyn's Nina Simone JRR this afternoon looks pretty comprehensive, a v fine selection. I'd have added Mississippi God-damn (didn't see it?), but Backlash Blues is there. As it should.

The JRR tribute to Nina Simone seems to have a much greater jazz content than the J to Z one. Will be recording!
Strangely, the comprehensive Penguin Guide to Jazz doesn't even have an entry for Nina Simone.

JR

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Nina Simone, "Backlash Blues", live at Montreux. Angry and majestic!

http://youtu.be/H0W7K8tYK-Y

[Serial_Apologist]

The JRR tribute to Nina Simone seems to have a much greater jazz content than the J to Z one. Will be recording!
Strangely, the comprehensive Penguin Guide to Jazz doesn't even have an entry for Nina Simone.

JR

Obviously JRR has to take precedence, but I'm wondering if the different tendencies within Radio 3 pre-coordinate to avoid too many cross-repeats.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Hugely enjoyed that program, she covers at lot of areas, and I think at times disliked the word "jazz", but it shone through.

[cloughie]

Hugely enjoyed that program, she covers at lot of areas, and I think at times disliked the word "jazz", but it shone through.

Cannot tie her to any genre - a very talented musician and I think did the music she wanted to do and not dictated to by music companies.
Enjoyed both the weekend’s two R3 programmes.

[JasonPalmer]

Listening to j to z now, put a spell on youuuuu....

[JasonPalmer]

Lots of pieces I have never heard of, excellent program.