
Nina Simone and Me with Laura Mvula
In a personal tribute, British soul singer Laura Mvula travels to New York to celebrate the Nina Simone songs that mean most to her and explore their musical roots.
Over half a century since she first performed her songs, Nina Simone is more popular than ever. From Sinnerman to Mississippi Goddam, Feeling Good to My Baby Just Cares for Me, she is an artist with an extraordinary songbook that mixes jazz, blues, soul and even classical.
British soul singer Laura Mvula travels to New York to celebrate the Nina songs that mean most to her and explore their musical roots. Performing with a Harlem gospel choir, uncovering the influence of Nina's classical training and meeting Simone's long-time guitarist Al Shackman, Laura presents a personal tribute to the genius of her musical hero.
Last on
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Dr Simone will see you now
Writer Brian Morton recalls two eventful meetings with the legend that was Nina Simone.
Clips
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Nina Simone’s Gospel roots
Duration: 01:17
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How Nina ruled with a rod of iron
Duration: 01:35
Music Played
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Nina Simone & Abbey Lincoln
Blues For Mama
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Laura Mvula & Camille Yarbrough
Feeling Good
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Nina Simone
Feeling Good
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J. Fred Coots & Sam M. Lewis
For All We Know
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Nina Simone
Four Women
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Laura Mvula & Camille Yarbrough
Four Women
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Nina Simone
Good Bait
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Laura Mvula
Green Garden
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Nina Simone
I Put A Spell On You
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Nina Simone
I Want A Little Sugar in my Bowl
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Nina Simone
Little Girl Blue
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Laura Mvula
Little Girl Blue
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Nina Simone
Love Me or Leave Me
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Laura Mvula
Love Me or Leave Me
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Nina Simone
Mississippi God Damn
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Laura Mvula
Mississippi God Damn
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Laura Mvula
Green Garden
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Nina Simone
Sinnerman
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Nina Simone
Mississippi God Damn
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Nina Simone
My Baby Just Cares For Me
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Nina Simone
Nobody's Fault But Mine
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Laura Mvula
Sinnerman
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Camille Yarbrough
Take Yo' Praise
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Nina Simone
Feeling Good
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Laura Mvula |
| Producer | Kath Pick |
| Director | Kath Pick |
| Executive Producer | Richard Bright |
Broadcasts
- Fri 29 May 201519:30
- Wed 22 Jul 201501:00
- Sun 6 Sep 201520:00
- Mon 7 Sep 201502:30
- Sun 20 Dec 201522:30
- Sun 18 Jun 201719:00
- Sun 30 Jul 201719:00
- Mon 31 Jul 201703:30
- Sun 6 Aug 201702:30
- Fri 22 Jun 201819:30
- Sat 23 Jun 201803:00
- Sat 16 Oct 202123:40BBC Two except Scotland
- Fri 6 May 202221:00
- Sat 7 May 202202:45
- Sat 17 Jun 202300:55
- Mon 26 Feb 202400:15
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