Tag Archives: Nina Simone

Nathy Peluso to Perform at This Year’s Montreux Jazz Festival

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Nathy Peluso is jazzed about her next gig…

The 26-year-old Argentine singer, songwriter and producer will perform at the 2021 edition of Montreux Jazz Festival, slated to roll out across 16 days next month in Switzerland.

Nathy Peluso

Set to take place from July 2-17, Montreux Jazz Festival this year debuts a new stage, Scene Du Lac, on the banks of Lake Geneva.

In addition to Peluso, the lineup includes Woodkid, Inhaler, the Paradox project of Jeff Mills and Tony Allen, and many more.

Rag’n’Bone Man and Arlo Parks, and Detroit techno legend Jeff Mills are among the headliners booked for the event.

The festival, one of Europe’s best-known and longest-running live music events, was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.

In April of this year, organizers announced plans for the festival’s return, with a limited capacity and its new stage.

Montreux Jazz Festival was established in 1967 by the late jazz connoisseur Claude Nobs. Over time, the event has hosted performances by many of the greats of contemporary music, from Prince to David Bowie, Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Elton John and others.

Tickets for this year’s fest go on sale from June 8 via the Montreux Jazz Festival website.

Christina Aguilera to Perform at the Soon-to-Reopen Hollywood Bowl This Summer

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Christina Aguilera is preparing to bowl over fans this summer…

The Hollywood Bowl has announced it’s all-star lineup for its first summer season since the pandemic shutdown, which kicks off earlier than previously expected, with the 40-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer set to perform.

Christina Aguilera

On May 15, conductor Gustavo Dudademal and the LA Philharmonic will be the first to return to the Bowl.

Viola Davis will appear alongside Dudamel and the LA Phil on July 15, on the heels of her Best Actress Oscar nomination for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, serving as the narrator of Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale, Peter and the Wolf.

She’ll be followed, on July 16 and 17, by five-time Grammy winner Aguilera.

Cynthia Erivo, who recently starred as Aretha Franklin in Nat Geo’s Genius: Aretha, is set to appear on July 30, performing tunes by Franklin, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and others, in addition to selections from her forthcoming debut album.

Meanwhile, recent Oscar winner H.E.R. will perform her first-ever concerts with an orchestra on August 13 and 14.

Over the course of the summer, the Bowl will also present a number of special events, including two Fireworks Spectaculars, on July 3 and 4, in observance of Independence Day. Those shows will feature appearances from disco-funk legends Kool & the Gang.

Other notable events include “The Princess Bride in concert” (July 31), “Sing-A-Long Sound of Music” (August 21), “Black Panther in concert” (September 10-12), and “Maestro of the Movies” (September 3-5). At the latter event, which serves as the Bowl’s annual celebration of film music, John Williams and David Newman will conduct the LA Phil.

Check out the full schedule for the summer by clicking here.

Saldaña Named the New International Face of L’Oréal Paris

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Zoë Saldaña is the new face of beauty worldwide…

The 35-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress and Star Trek star has signed on as the new international spokesperson of L’Oréal Paris, according to E! News.

 

Zoë Saldaña

“Growing up, I was taught to believe that I am capable to do anything a man can do,” says the Colombiana actress. “This family philosophy has shaped who I am today, and is a conviction that will always accompany me through life.”

“As a L’Oréal Paris spokesperson, being able to say, ‘We’re worth it,’ means so much to me,” she continued. “I want to share that value with women so they can embrace it and execute life with confidence. I am thrilled to join this beauty journey with such an inspirational brand.”

Saldana’s campaign will include print and television ads.

“Zoe astonishes with her audacious style and feline beauty,” says Cyril Chapuy, L’Oréal Paris’ brand global president. “Attached to her values, unafraid to speak her mind, and confident in her own skin, she embodies infallible force and asserted femininity.”

The beauty giant’s roster of celeb spokespersons also includes Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Freida Pinto, Eva Longoria and Jane Fonda.

Saldana’s next projects include a television mini-series remake of Rosemary’s Baby, a biopic about singer Nina Simone and the film adaptation of the comic book Guardians of the Galaxy.

In addition, she’s committed to reprise her role in the next three Avatar films.

Saldaña to Star in Miles Davis Biopic from Don Cheadle

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There’s no doubt Zoë Saldaña is pretty jazzed about her next project…

The 35-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress has joined the cast of Kill the Trumpet Player, Don Cheadle‘s project about legendary jazz pioneer Miles Davis.

Zoe Saldana

Cheadle will play the late musician and work behind the lens in his directorial debut. The long-delayed biopic will follow “the virtuoso, fighter and genius as he bursts out of his silent period and conspires with a Rolling Stone writer to steal his music back.” 

Saldaña will portray Frances Davis, the former wife of the trumpet player in the film, which has received financing from BiFrost Pictures.

Meanwhile, Ewan McGregor will play a Rolling Stone reporter in the film.

Cheadle also co-wrote the script with Steven Baigelman to explore the story of a few dangerous days in Davis’ life. The late star’s collaborator Herbie Hancock is confirmed to be involved in the project as well.

Cheadle said at the American Film Market that the movie wouldn’t be a traditional biopic.

“Let’s kill that term, OK? I hope with this film we can kill the biopic. This film won’t try to give a broad overview of Davis’ life and give short shrift to this man’s story,” he said. “For us as creative people, the time of his life that was most interesting was the five years when he wasn’t playing, when he was silent. What was going on in his mind? And how did he come out of it and return to music?”

Production is expected to begin next summer.

No release date has been set in stone.

It’s the latest movie-themed project for Saldaña…

Last year, the Star Trek Into Darkness was cast to portray songstress Nina Simone in a biopic about the legendary singer.

Saldaña Named to Vogue’s 2012 Best Dressed List

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Zoë Saldaña is a genuine style star…

The 34-year-old half-Puerto Rican & half-Dominican American actress has been named to Vogue‘s 2012 Best Dressed list.

Zoe Saldana

Saldaña, who will portray legendary singer Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic, is the only Latina to crack this year’s Top 10.

The Colombiana and Star Trek actress and fashionista ranked as one of the best dressed Latinas at this year’s SAG Awards.

Other honorees for Vogue‘s annual Best Dressed list include Emma Stone, Kristen Stewart, Solange Knowles, Kate Upton, Lady Gaga and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The special issue hits newsstands November 20.

Saldaña to Portray Nina Simone on the Big Screen

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Zoë Saldaña will be singing the blues this October…

The 34-year-old half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican American actress has signed on to star as Nina Simone in a biopic about the legendary singer.

Zoe Saldana

Simone rose to acclaim as a singer-songwriter in the 1950s and became involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, even advocating violence. Tax issues forced her to relocate to other countries, including France, where she passed away in 2003.

Entitled Nina, the film’s script was written by Cynthia Mort, who has been attached to direct the film. It’s been in the works for several years, but hadn’t come to fruition due to funding issues. It seems those issues have been resolved, with the movie set t begin production in Los Angeles on October 16.

Mark Burton, Barnaby Thompson, Stuart Parr and Ben Latham Jones are producing.

Saldaña recently wrapped Out of the Furnace, a thriller that also stars Christian Bale and Casey Affleck, as well as the sequel to Star Trek.