CONCER T SERIES
THE NINA PROJECT
Eight years ago, at the request and with the encouragement of Sybil Walker, I performed a tribute to Nina Simone for one night at La Belle Epoque. Due to a short rehearsal period, I wasn’t able to prepare all of the songs that I wanted to sing, so I decided to use lyrics as movement between the musical numbers, this way I wouldn’t have to tell the audience how much I loved Nina, I could let her chosen words speak for me and through me. Thus, The Nina Project was born. My dream was to create a show that would feature two of my all-time favourite vocalists, Jackie Richardson and Kellylee Evans, onstage sharing their ‘NINA-ness’ with the audience. What a blessing that through the support of BAND-TD Then and Now and Soulpepper, we now have a show that personifies every complex and beloved layer of Nina through not just two, but 10 talented artists’ vision, voices and instruments. Shakura S’Aida
PERFORMERS & PRODUCTION Kellylee Evans Vocals
Tony Rabalao Drums
Anahita Dehbonehie Video Designer
Jackie Richardson Vocals
Michael Shand Piano
Jason Browning Sound Designer
Shakura S’Aida Vocals
Roger Williams Bass
Coco ‘Cognac’ Brown Piano & Vocals
Laura McLeod Producer
Colleen Allen Musical Director & Woodwinds
Kelly Read Stage Coordinator
Conrad Coates Director
Natalie Buckley Assistant Stage Coordinator
Brooke Blackburn Guitar
Ken MacKenzie Lighting Designer
Evan Bonnah-Hawkes Technical Director Melissa Grandovec, Robin Johnston, Megan Burns Technicians
Thank you to everyone who inspired and supported The Nina Project from inception to stage: Sybil Walker; Jackie Richardson; Kellylee Evans; Richard Flohil; BAND-TD Then and Now Black History Month Series; Karen Carter; Alan Convery; Dian Marie Bridge; Maxine Bailey; Francois Mano; Albert Schultz; Leslie Lester; Laura McLeod; Guillermo Verdecchia; Conrad Coates; Cindy Wilson; Colleen Allen; Janine Stoll; Karl & Gloria Schmed; Janina Barrett; Angie Cassiram; Noelle Najmaah; Zoë-Blue Coates; Natalie Buckley; Coco ‘Cognac’ Brown; Denise Hampden; Cathy Clyke; Evan Bonnah-Hawkes; Terese Sears; CBC and Sonia Arab. 2015 lead sponsors