Following her tour-de-force performance at Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2024, the incredible Dame Lisa Simone is returning to Adelaide this July for one very special evening celebrating the iconic classics of her mother Dr Nina Simone.
Lisa’s voice and stage prowess has not only earned her worldwide recognition, but practically every accolade, including Grammy nominations, starring roles on Broadway, and chart-topping albums.
In the lead up to her Adelaide performance, Lisa spoke to Glam Adelaide about the show, the influence of her mother’s music, and her own path into the performing arts.
“Despite how obvious it was, I never saw myself performing professionally until I had an ‘ah ha moment’ while serving my country in the United States Air Force. Once that happened, I felt a burning in my belly and knew that this was my heart’s calling. I finally acknowledged what had always been there!”
Lisa shared with us what it is about jazz that she connects with.
“Like my ancestors, I am an artist who composes, performs, interprets, and is inspired by many styles of music. Jazz is one colour on the vast musical spectrum that I not only enjoy very much, but I happen to do very well because it is rooted in the African American tradition of gospel, and blues, etc.”
Growing up as Nina Simone’s daughter, we asked Lisa if she realised in her younger years how influential her mother was in the music industry.
“I did not. Mom shielded me from much of that for as long as she could. When one is living to the best of their ability, under ever changing circumstances, that is the focus at that time. As for the impact her gift would have on the industry, it took my mother dying for her to become a household name, worldwide.”
Lisa is returning to Adelaide this July. With such a busy touring schedule, Lisa shed some light on why she still loves getting on the road and touring.
“At this stage in my career, my relationship to being an entertainer has evolved. With nothing left to prove to myself, I do what I do because I love it. Performing brings joy to myself, and others. When that is no longer the case, it will be time to retire.”
Get ready to take an extraordinary musical journey with Lisa and her incredible band when they tour the country in July, and experience how the magnificent legacy of Nina Simone lives on.
“What I look forward to most is getting there, for it is always wonderful to be in Australia! Audiences can look forward to experiencing an uplifting, soul-stirring, fun evening they will remember with a gleam in their eyes, and huge smiles.”
Expect to enjoy feel-good Nina Simone classics…
I Put a Spell on You, Feelin’ Good, Black Is the Color, Mississippi Goddam, and more.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert full of music, emotion, and pure artistic brilliance. An experience you’ve simply got to witness.
Lisa Simone – A Daughter’s Tribute to Nina Simone
Her Majesty’s Theatre
Saturday 26 July, 2025
7.30pm
https://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/lisa-simone-2025
Photo credit: Claudio Raschella and Jen Harris
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