Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, was a great pianist, singer, songwriter and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop.

Her piano playing was strongly influenced by baroque and classical music, especially Johann Sebastian Bach, and accompanied expressive, jazz-like singing in her contralto voice.

Simone initially aspired to be a concert pianist. With the help of a local fund set up in her hometown, she enrolled at Allen High School for Girls, then spent a summer at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, preparing to apply for a scholarship to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She failed to gain admission to Curtis, which she attributed to racism. A day or two after the institute awarded her an honorary degree, she died.

Now gone,Lisa Simone Kelly (born Lisa Celeste Stroud; September 12, 1962), her daughter, has comfortably taken over her space and is doing well, in her own right as a musician.

This April, Lisa begins herexploration of the rich, diverse tapestry of jazz in Nigeria in what has been globally recognised as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). It is a yearly month-long tribute to jazz as both a historic and living art form.
The Grammy and Oscar nominated A-list actress is coming to Nigeria to showcase her talent.From April 5 to 6, 2026, the great talent will enliven Lagos differentlywith slow and smooth sailing jazz.

The exclusive jazz event is happening at Oti’s Jazz Bistro, located on Abimbola Awoniyi Close, in Victoria Island Lagos.
Oti is a haven for jazz music genre and for those who cherish life on a slow pace. It is simply a perfect setting to host Lisa and jazz lovers this Easter in a two-day jazz show tagged ‘The Legacy Now’.

From the hot rhythms of New Orleans and the swinging streets of Chicago and Kansas City to the cool, sophisticated sounds of the West Coast, this series shines a spotlight on the myriad regional styles and histories that have shaped jazz as a uniquely American art form. Each performance highlights the distinctive voices and cultural roots that unite the country’s jazz heritage, celebrating how these diverse traditions come together in a dynamic musical conversation—showcasing jazz not just as a genre, but as a living, evolving symbol of unity and creativity.

Known for her work both on Broadway and off-Broadway, in Rent, The Lion King, Aida, and Les Miserables, Lisa’s theatrical stage debut was in a national tour of the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, as a Soul Sister, she was understudy for Mary.

In 1996, she continued her career as a swing and female understudy in the original Broadway production of Rent at which time she also performed the roles of Aidain Disney’s Aida and Nala in The Lion King.

Later that year, she performed the lead role of Mimi Marquez in Rent’s first national tour, from November 1996 to April 1998. She was nominated for both a Helen Hayes Award and a Jefferson Award for her performances.

But Lisa is not doing the Easter gig alone. She would be joined by some local, but internationally acclaimed hands here in Nigeria to entertain jazz fans at the show.

Notable among the gifted local hands is Philip Uzo, who is going to be the director of music for Lisa Simone’s performance.

Uzo, a product of MUSON music school, who also teaches music, will lead others to enhance performances and jazz offerings at the two-day show.

Credit for the show goes to Oti Bazunu, founder, Lagos Jazz Series, who for decades has been promoting jazz and bringing all the big jazz artists to perform in Nigeria.

A businessman and arts enthusiast, Bazunu is best known as the founder of the Lagos Jazz Series (LJS), an initiative that introduced a refreshing way for Lagosians to unwind in a safe, relaxed atmosphere.

What began as a curated musical experience soon evolved into a yearly outdoor festival, promoting high-quality music and positioning Lagos as an international jazz destination.
For nine years, the Lagos Jazz Series thrived—until what Bazunu describes as “sponsors’ fatigue” set in.

Without sustained funding, it became increasingly difficult to maintain the ambitious model of pairing local talent with international stars and transforming public spaces into soulful havens. Muri Okunola Park in the Victoria Island neighbourhood, once reimagined with colourful mats and a laid-back picnic ambience, became a sanctuary for music lovers.

The memories linger: performances by global icons such as Marcus Miller, Bob James, and Mos Def, all set against the Lagos skyline.

Bazunu’s work has long extended beyond performance. Through the Lagos Jazz Series, he created bridges between local and international artists, even taking Nigerian bands to global festivals in places like Cape Verde. His goal remains clear: to elevate Nigerian musicians to international standards.

“We’ve seen artists who performed at LJS go on to succeed globally,” he said. “Whenever I bring international artists, I ask them to hold masterclasses at MUSON Centre, Onikan. That’s how talents like trumpeter Etuk Ubong were discovered and given international exposure.”

The scale may be smaller, but the intent is no less profound. With Oti’s Jazz Bistro, Bazunu is not merely reviving a legacy; he is reimagining it—creating a space where good music, rich culture, and meaningful connection converge.

Bazunu also spearheaded the “Bring Back the Music” (BBM) CSR initiative, underscoring his long-standing commitment to the arts.

The 70-year-old jazz promoter is using Lisa’s show to spotlight the jazz genre once again, and is intentional at bringing back the Lagos Jazz Series, which has not been at its best after nine successful editions.

Well, Bazunu is ready for Lisa, for jazz lovers and for Lagos this Easter. Considering that he was able to continually bring renowned jazz artists like Hugh Masakela, Fourplay, Bob James, and Roy Hargrove to Lagos at the peak of the jazz series, he is also set to replicate such feats again this Easter.

“Lisa will be here. We are set to enliven Lagos with a different kind of energy. I mean Jazz, which is cooler and more relaxing. It will slow the pace of things in this environment,” he said.

“Lisa Simone is a world-class artist,” Bazunu said. “It’s a rare opportunity for Lagos audiences. We don’t get artists like this often. We’re trying to use music to calm the tempo—the ‘ra ra ra’ of Lagos.”

According to him, the show is all about promoting jazz, encouraging jazz artists here and pointing to many where the jazz genre resides and can be enjoyed in the very busy Lagos cosmopolitan city.

The show will also be a veritable platform to create awareness about Oti’s Place, the venue, as an exclusive hub for jazz.

“This is a place where we can come and salvage and relax ourselves,” he said. “Lagos is a very stressful city, as we know. But jazz will relax it a bit. Oti’s Place is bringing back the experience and Lisa is ready to make this happen.”

Speaking on the choice of Lisa, whose son is also a musician, Bazunu said that creativity runs in her blood, being the daughter of Nina Simone, who is considered as the ‘Mother of Jazz’ as well as considering her incredible outputs in the music world beyond the jazz genre.

“She is a world artist, Grammy nominated, Oscar, and all of them,” he said.

All programmes are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
For Bazunu, jazz remains foundational to much of modern music. Referencing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, he emphasised jazz’s deep imprint on

Afrobeat and global sounds.
“When you listen to Afrobeat, you feel the jazz,” he noted. “Fela started as a jazz artist before evolving his sound.”