Convergence: A Fictitious Meeting Of Mary Lou Williams & Nina Simone In A Paris Lobby at Healdsburg Jazz

Healdsburg Jazz announces a special Women’s History Month virtual event called Convergence that fictionalizes the first time meeting between Mary Lou Williams and Nina Simone in a Paris lobby.

Airing on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 7:00 pm Pacific TIme (10:00 pm Eastern Time), Convergence features two modern day pianists, Victoria Theodore as Nina Simone and Tammy L. Hall as Mary Lou Williams, along with bassist Ruth Davies, drummer Sylvia Cuenca, and spoken word performance from actress RyanNicole. Tickets start at $10 with proceeds supporting the artists and the organization’s ongoing education activities. For more information and tickets, visit HealdsburgJazz.org....

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Healdsburg Jazz announces a special Women’s History Month virtual event called Convergence that fictionalizes the first time meeting between Mary Lou Williams and Nina Simone in a Paris lobby.

Airing on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 7:00 pm Pacific TIme (10:00 pm Eastern Time), Convergence features two modern day pianists, Victoria Theodore as Nina Simone and Tammy L. Hall as Mary Lou Williams, along with bassist Ruth Davies, drummer Sylvia Cuenca, and spoken word performance from actress RyanNicole. Tickets start at $10 with proceeds supporting the artists and the organization’s ongoing education activities. For more information and tickets, visit HealdsburgJazz.org.

Convergence tells the fictional story of Nina Simone and Mary Lou Williams meeting for the first time in a Paris lobby as they prepare to receive the National Order of Merit awards from the French government. Convergence celebrates the musical contributions of Nina Simone and Mary Lou Williams and honors their influential music and powerful legacies with trio arrangements performed by Victoria Theodore and the Healdsburg Jazz’ Artist-in-Residence Tammy L. Hall, with dialogue, commentary, and bon mots from actress and spoken word artist RyanNicole. Local legendary bassist Ruth Davies and drummer Sylvia Cuenca round out the all star personnel on this videotaped concert recorded at the Opus Studios in Berkeley, CA. Convergence is a special music and spoken word concert for the entire family. The show will be anchored by two different piano trio combinations and a powerful 4-hand performance of “Caravan” as they showcase the music of Nina Simone and Mary Lou Williams. Compositions featured include “Cancer”, “Rosa Mae”, “Central Park Blues”, “Good Bait”, and a soaring rendition of “Caravan” performed by both Tammy L. Hall and Victoria Theodore.

Convergence includes additional photos, interviews, and education materials to be used as a teaching tool. Healdsburg Jazz has also created its own resource guide about the contributions women continue to make in jazz and the role female instrumentalists have had in the music’s evolution and history. Healdsburg Jazz distributes this free Student Resource Guide to elementary and middle schools in the Healdsburg Unified School District and other educational partners.

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