Meshell Ndegeocello, Luz Mendoza

[YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK] If Nina Simone had been born 30 years later as a bisexual uptown rocker who wields a bass guitar like a soul-funk machine gun, she might’ve been Me’Shell Ndegeocello. It makes sense, then, the actual Ndegeocello would feel compelled to perform full shows of Simone’s work. On the continuum of strong-willed African-American women through history, the two artists are linked by a commitment to uncompromising self-expression, industry mores be damned. Simone communicated via a stirring fusion of pop, gospel and classical music, while Ndegeocello uses a similarly genre-blurring tangle of soul, jazz and rock, but their spirits are linked by a bold sense of defiance. As proof, check out the singer-bassist’s newest album, Pour Une Ame Souveraine, an oft-remarkable set of Simone covers that sound nothing like the originals, but nonetheless convey the same emotional, sometimes tear-inducing power. 

Where: Mission Theater and Pub
Phone: 223-4527
Address: 1624 NW Glisan St.
Website: www.mcmenamins.com