NINA SIMONE
ME, My guitar, and nina simone
Legendary jazz guitarist and arranger Al Schackman officially announced
today the release of his memoir – Me, My Guitar, and Nina Simone: Stories of My Musical Life and Adventures with Nina (published by AG Dunewood Publishing). offering an unprecedented, intimate backstage pass into the life of one of history’s most brilliant and complex musical icons, Schackman, who turns 93 this October, brings together his personal collection of stories and images from more than four decades as Nina Simone’s confidant, musical director, and guitarist.
The book also goes beyond his work with Simone, highlighting a career with many iconic performers…it pulls back the curtain on a golden era of music, balancing profound historical significance with an abundance of witty, poignant, and laugh-out-loud personal stories from a lifetime performing internationally. Schackman is a great storyteller and paints vivid pictures of his musical journey.
When Al Schackman first met Nina Simone in 1958, neither could have predicted it would spark a lifelong musical partnership spanning 43 years. “Nina wasn’t just an unforgettable talent – she was a revolutionary force, and being her musical director meant being part of a movement. I’ve spent more than 70 years playing everything from jazz to blues to folk to composing for TV , but my years with Nina were completely singular and extraordinary,” said Schackman. “People know Nina, but I wanted to share the private moments of our deep kinship that went far beyond the stage – not just our history or the notes we played, but the completely unvarnished moments we shared.
I wanted to recount things exactly as they happened to honor the true, unedited story of our years together. These memories celebrate the interweaving of our music and friendship.”
NINA SIMONE: VERVE REMIXED
Verve Remixed // Nina Simone arrives as an exciting contribution to the groundbreaking series. This album celebrates Simone’s enduring influence through the lens of today’s top DJs and producers. Solomun, Mochakk, DESIREE, Supershy, HAAi, dublon, Antdot and Austin Millz unite on this single record, each track honoring the power of her original recordings while opening them up for a new generation of global listeners.
More than a compilation, Verve Remixed // Nina Simone is the definitive statement of a landmark project—showcasing the lasting impact of Nina Simone’s artistry and the continued evolution of the iconic Verve Remixed series.
Side A
1. That’s All I Ask (HAAi Remix) – Extended Edit (6:30)
2. Take Care Of Business (Solomun Mix) – Extended Version (5:37)
3. See-Line Woman (Mochakk Mix) (4:48)
4. Four Women (DESIREE Remix) – Extended Version (4:55)
Side B
1. Work Song (Antdot Remix) – Extended Version (6:07)
2. Tell Me More And More And Then Some (dublon Remix) – Extended Edit (4:02)
3. I Put A Spell On You (Austin Millz Remix) (2:38)
4. Baltimore (Live) (Supershy Remix) (Extended Version) (7:02)
A SINGLE WOMAN: THE COMPLETE ELEKTRA RECORDINGS
Omnivore Recordings announce Nina Simone’s “A Single Woman: The Complete Elektra Recordings”
Definitive version of the iconic artist’s final studio album available on CD and double LP. Features 11 bonus tracks, 4 previously unissued!
Tracklist:
1. A Single Woman; 2. Lonesome Cities; 3. If I Should Lose You; 4. The Folks Who Live On The Hill; 5. Love’s Been Good To Me; 6. Papa, Can You Hear Me?; 7. Il N’y A Pas D’amour Heureux; 8. Just Say I Love Him; 9. The More I See You; 10. Marry Me
Bonus Tracks:
11. The Long And Winding Road; 12. The Times They Are A-changin’; 13. Sign ‘O’’ The Times; 14. Baseball Boogie; 15. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter; 16. Do I Move You? (Take 2); 17. The Times They Are A-Changin’ (Alternate Take); 18. No Woman, No Cry; 19. Do I Move You (Take 1); 20. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter (Alternate Take); 21. Baseball Boogie (Instrumental)
* Tracks 17, 19–21 Previously Unissued
The Montreux Years
Nina Simone’s story from the late sixties to the nineties can be told through her legendary performances in Montreux. Taking to the Montreux stage for the first time on 16 June 1968 for the festival’s second edition,
Simone built a lasting relationship with Montreux Jazz Festival and its Creator and Director Claude Nobs and this unique trust and electricity can be clearly felt on the recordings.
Simone’s multi-faceted and radical story is laid bare on ‘Nina Simone: The Montreux Years’.
From Nina’s glorious and emotional 1968 performance to her fiery and unpredictable concert in 1976, one of the festival’s most remarkable performances ever witnessed, the collection includes recordings from all of her five legendary Montreux concerts – 1968, 1976, 1981, 1987 and 1990.
About Nina
