Thursday, March 28, 2024

John Legend Performs at Sundance Premiere of Nina Simone Doc

John Legend performs on stage at Netflix's "What Happened, Miss Simone" Sundance world premiere with special performance by John Legend on January 22, 2015 in Park City Utah
John Legend performs on stage at Netflix’s “What Happened, Miss Simone” Sundance world premiere with special performance by John Legend on January 22, 2015 in Park City Utah

*Folks that caught the new Nina Simone documentary at the Sundance Film Festival were also treated to a post-film concert by Oscar nominee John Legend.

After the credits rolled on “What Happened, Miss Simone?” – the festival’s opening-night documentary – Legend took the stage to pay tribute to the film’s subject.

“I’m so grateful to be here today honoring the legacy of the wonderful, powerful, dynamic, super-talented Nina Simone,” said Legend, who along with Common is nominated for an Oscar for their original song from “Selma.”

The documentary about the late singer tracks her rise to fame, her struggles with mental illness, her activism during the civil rights movement, her move to Liberia where she left music behind and finally to France, where she regained her career.

john legend sundance

Legend said the entertainer, who died in 2003, is “one of my favorite singers; one of my favorite artists of all time.”

“I find myself studying her versions of all kinds of songs, thinking about her words, thinking about her boldness, thinking about her commitment to justice,” he said. “I’m truly humbled to be here tonight to honor her legacy.”

According to The AP, Legend emerged onstage from behind a screen seated at a grand piano, opening with Simone’s soulful version of “Lilac Wine.” He followed with “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” which Simone made famous in 1967. After saying how much he admired Simone, he performed her 1964 single, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”

Legend took a bow, then was embraced by the film’s director, Liz Garbus, and festival founder Robert Redford.

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