Meshell Ndegeocello Reveals “Suzanne” Music Video in Honor of Nina Simone

One of the great voices of contemporary soul, Meshell Ndegeocello has been a pioneer for women in music. She was the first woman to be featured on the cover of Bass Player magazine and remains one of few who write the music and lead the band. She has just premiered her new video “Suzanne” ~ off the critically acclaimed album Pour une Âme Souveraine [“For a sovereign soul”]: A Dedication to Nina Simone ~ with USA Today, and you can watch the video here.

“Suzanne” was originally written by the great Leonard Cohen and covered by Nina Simone on her 1967 studio album To Love Somebody. Simone’s cover motivated Meshell to record her own version of the song to include in her homage to Simone. The lyrics to the song ~ the reference of Suzanne’s “place by the river” ~ inspired her to start a collaboration with her fans. People submitted photos of their own such places in the world, thus creating the visual backdrop of an ever-changing landscape for the video.

For the album, Meshell was joined by musicians Chris Bruce (guitar), Jebin Bruni (keys), and Deantoni Parks (drums). The singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, and vocalist reworked some of the tracks made famous by the iconic musician and brought in guests including Sinead O’Connor, Lizz Wright, Valerie June, Tracy Wannomae, Toshi Reagon and Cody ChesnuTT.

Pour une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone, released late last year, is in Grammy contention for this year.

Catch Meshell live on 9/28 in Boston, MA @ Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival, Multi Act Festival or on 10/5 in Simi Valley, CA @ RAJ 13  – The Festival of Rhythm & Joy.

“…a singer-songwriter of searching candor and an electric bassist of mesmerizing skill.”  ~ New York Times
 
“A fitting tribute to an icon that was unappreciated in her time by an artist who is always ahead of hers. Ndegeocello makes a natural accomplice to [Nina Simone’s] legacy, and she tackles these songs with all due respect and understanding.”  ~ NPR
 
“…stunningly beautiful…” ~ Los Angeles Times

“Simone would be proud.” ~ Bass Player