Children of Simone

Nina Simone is not merely a historical figure, but a current heartbeat. De Leuvense all-female formation Children of Simone crawls onto her lap like curious children and starts the conversation. “Was it all worth it? Did you get to live?” Led by Emee. (Emeraude Kabeya) seven singers bundle their voices to let Simone’s message of freedom, struggle, and vulnerability resound again, with an ode to an icon that continues to inspire generations. Nina Simone was an impressive woman who fought at the crossroads of black liberation and feminism - a struggle that continues to rage today. Children of Simone captures her essence by putting a finger on her duality: the hope versus the fury, the classical prodigy versus the jazz icon, the lonely woman versus the world star, Eunice versus Nina. But above all, the Children start from the music. Not from a list of greatest hits, but from a rich repertoire of 44 albums. Recognizable anchors like I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free of Strange Fruit pass in review, alongside lesser-known pearls and deep cuts that draw Nina’s layeredness more sharply than the collective memory usually allows. This creates a musical line that makes her palpable without reducing her to her symbol status. With spoken word, the Children lift the performance to the present and connect Simone’s timeless music with social and personal stories of today. The vocal power is carried by a musician trio - Maura Delbare, Mien Heyvaert and Caro Abutoh - that builds a soundscape with sparkling keys, beating drums, and a deep, warm bass that elevates the voices, reinforces the emotions, and makes the music simultaneously intimate and awe-inspiring. A kaleidoscope of emotions passes by, each time with an intensity that touches the audience right in the heart. In collaboration with Jazzlab. Credits Emeraude (Emee.) Kabeya (vocals) Joelle Francis (vocals) Ines Schokaert (vocals) Joetta Wolokollie (vocals) Titilayo Oliha (vocals) Isha Frateur (vocals) Lorena Mello (vocals) Maura Delbare (keys) Mien Heyvaert (drums) Caro Abutoh (bass)