Nelani Mejias Photos.
Microphones wrapped with white flowers and green vines sat on the stage, the space lined with tea lights. Around the stage, a sunset-pink glow shifted to blue to red as the lyrics “It’s a new dawn/ It’s a new day/It’s a new life fo-or me” floated over the bright crash of cymbals, a resplendent tickle of ivories. Behind musicians, looking out over the sold-out theatre, a larger-than-life image of the late Nina Simone appeared on a projection screen.
That scene—and sound—filled the Flint Street Theater last Friday, as New Haven’s Lady Stout, Waterbury-based artist Nehway, and fellow musicians presented “Dear Nina,” a joyful tribute to the high priestess of soul that packed the house and started the weekend on a moving and mellifluous note. For Lady Stout (a.k.a. Denise Renee), it was as much a homecoming as it was an homage, a night to bask in—and sing right to—the city and people that have made her who she is.
“Unapologetic,” Lady Stout sang at one point, the words over the rhythmic percussion, low bass, and melodic keys, and it was as if she had summoned Nina herself to the stage. “That is the power of Nina in my eyes. She taught me to be unapologetic.”
That loving vibe radiated from the popcorn-scented lobby into the packed theater itself, where attendees trickled in and took their seats as performances drew near. Outside in the lobby, people found a respite from a chilly spring rain with jazzy piano and electronic beats, courtesy of 15-year-old Hubert Powell.
The theater, and the Friends Center for Children, is a home for “connection, reflection, and shared experience,” said Communications & Theater Manager Keegan Sagnelli as attendees took their seats. So it felt fitting, Friday, that it was also a space where the arts could be accessible.
The performance began with Nehway, a singer and songwriter from Waterbury whose etherial, mellow vocals have been making their way into New Haven for years, thanks to events like the Seeing Sounds Fest. Starting with the click of a chord and a deep breath, her set was just her and an acoustic guitar. The warm plunk of strings backed her velvety voice as she sang original songs, ending with a cover of “Stars” that she made her own. It was what she called “a tribute to a tribute to a tribute,” inspired by both Nina Simone and Janis Ian.
Before that moment, she also sang about mental health and friendships in her original song “Save Your Life,” with the hope that people who hear her music feel at peace. Her deep, airy voice singing the words, “I feel alive,” floated over the light strums of guitar. Behind her, a projection of flowers blooming added to the garden installed on stage.
“I want myself and others to feel courage, even if it’s a quiet courage,” she said.
There was a short pause where the low rumble of collected voices, drifting up from those tucked beside to each other, filled the gap between sets. Soon, though, it was replaced with loud cheering as Lady Stout made her way to the stage. Accompanying her was Powell (who happens to also be her son) on drums, Jerimiah Fuller on keyboard, and Betcherly Calixte on bass.
“Dear Nina, it was so many years ago when I discovered you in the Swiss Alps,” Lady Stout began, taking the audience on her own musical journey. She turned back the clock, transporting the audience to Switzerland’s Montreaux Jazz Festival, where she performed alongside Alicia Keys in 2004 (Keys returned to the festival in 2008). That year, the Festival was playing a video of Simone’s 1976 performance. Lady Stout was mesmerized—and has remained so ever since.
Friday, she got to share the feeling of that awe with the audience. At one point, there was a moment of instrumental intermission where she played her own set of drums, as her son followed her fast-paced tempo. At another, she invited her daughters, Zoe, Cadence, and Tamia, to the stage to sing with her. The four of their voices blended seamlessly as they harmonized together.
Mostly, the lyrics carried her message home. From renditions of Nina Simone classics like “Feeling Good” and “Four Women,” to moments of pure poetry, an attendee could feel Simone’s spirit right there in the room. That was especially true as Lady Stout announced: “You thought this was just entertainment, this is a call to action,” and echo of the artist’s 1969 proclamation that “an artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times.”
The celebration of Women’s History Month ended with Lady Stout playing a tambourine, urging everyone in attendance to get on their feet and echo back their given lines. The lively thump of drums and upbeat pulse of vibrant keys played under the audience singing back the word, “power” before transitioning into Simone’s “See-Line Woman.” Then repeating back those opening “yeah’s” and echoing the word “woman” at the command of Lady Stout.