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 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
Colleen Allen Musical Director & Saxophone
Michael Shand Piano
Jackie Richardson Vocals
Conrad Coates Director
Roger Williams Bass
Shakura S’Aida Vocals
Brooke Blackburn Guitar
Natalie Buckley Stage Coordinator
Coco ‘Cognac’ Brown Piano & Vocals
Mark McLean Drums
Ken Mackenzie Lighting & Video
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; CBC and Sonia Arab. 2015 lead sponsors