„Music is a powerful tool for change, and I want to use it to make a difference in the world.“ With this vision and her exceptional talent, Myra Maud and her band have created a show dedicated to singer and pianist Nina Simone, capturing her music and personality in all its facets. The quartet pays tribute to the unforgettable artist and breathes new life into her timeless music. Inspired by Nina Simone’s powerful message, the musicians present her repertoire in a wonderful fusion of tradition and modernity. Myra Maud and her band transform the stage into a glowing ode to this great musician – an ode to music, peace, and love.
Myra Maud (Vocals)
Born in Paris and with roots in Martinique and Madagascar, she uniquely brings together different cultural influences and is a true cosmopolitan who has found her home all over the world. Her talent has allowed her to pursue a varied career spanning several continents. In Paris, she honed her skills and became a multi-instrumentalist with a wide range of expressions. As a soloist, she portrayed the role of Nala in “The Lion King” in Hamburg and collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra of France, the Claude Bolling Jazz Big Band, as well as the symphony orchestras of Nashville, Detroit, and Dallas. She has shared the stage with Celine Dion, Enrique Iglesias, Marius M. Westernhagen, among others, and had the honor of singing for the legendary Quincy Jones. A milestone in her career was undoubtedly her enchanting performance at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, where she thrilled millions of viewers. Currently, she is touring the United States and Canada with the “PROHIBITION” tour, a loving tribute to the great chanson divas Josephine Baker, Edith Piaf, and Marlene Dietrich. Accompanied by renowned American symphony orchestras, she transports the audience into a world of sounds and emotional moments.
Myra’s solo albums have been honored in South Africa with platinum and gold certifications, which attest to her international influence and appeal. With her new project, a tribute to Nina Simone, Myra Maud and her band invite you to experience a beautiful moment in music history.
Lutz Krajenski (Piano/Musical Director)
Lutz Krajenski, born in 1972, began his musical career at the age of 4. As a pianist, organist, and keyboardist, he has worked with renowned artists such as Randy Crawford, Tom Jones, Bobby Kimball, Sarah Connor, Till Brönner, and Thomas Quasthoff. Institutions such as NDR, ZDF, Friedrichstadtpalast Berlin, and Babelsberg Chamber Orchestra appreciate his work as an arranger – he has also written for artists such as Mando Diao, Ulrich Tukur, Jasmin Tabatabai, and Pepe Lienhard. His role as musical director, pianist, arranger, and bandleader of the almost legendary Roger Cicero led to highly acclaimed tours, a platinum album, and an “Echo Pop”. As a producer, Lutz Krajenski is also successful – “Carnival of the Animals” by Salut Salon received an “Echo Klassik”, “His Songs” by Manfred Krug entered the Top 50 and received gold status. Not to be missed: the solo albums released under the artist name “krajenski.” “ORBIT” and “B-3 Vol.1”.
Hervé Jeanne (Double Bass)
Born in 1972 in Luxembourg, he discovered the electric bass at the age of 13. He received his first lessons at the Conservatoire de Luxembourg. After graduating from high school, Hervé Jeanne moved to Hanover (Germany) where he studied double bass with Detlev Beier. After his studies, he regularly traveled to New York where he attended masterclasses with legends such as Ray Brown, Dave Holland, and Eddie Gomez. Already during his studies, he established himself as a sought-after sideman. He was the steady bassist in the Roger Cicero band for twelve years. In addition, Hervé Jeanne has performed with artists such as The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, Take 6, Ack van Rooyen, Bill Ramsey, among others. Since 2012, Hervé Jeanne has been running his own recording studio (www.d-room.de), specializing in jazz and acoustic music recordings.
Leon Saleh (Drums)
Leon Saleh is a talented drummer from a family of musicians. He began playing the drums at the age of 7 and later studied jazz drums at the Musikhochschule Hamburg. Leon has won numerous awards, including first prize at the Shanghai Jazz Competition and the 1st prize at the Schwerin Jazz Festival. He is active in various jazz, pop, and electronic bands, working as a studio drummer, composer, and producer. Leon has collaborated with renowned artists such as Nils Landgren, Till Brönner, and the NDR Big Band. His own project, “Catnip Police”, combines progressive rock, flamenco, classical music, samba, and electronic music. Their debut album, “Catnip Begins”, was released in 2019.
“What a voice, what an appearance, and what a fire! This woman can simply sing anything – gospel, chanson, soul, Caribbean music, jazz or pop…[Myra Maud’s] Nina Simone programme is packed with jazz, rhythm, passion, melancholy and joie de vivre.” Cellesche Zeitung
„Music is a powerful tool for change, and I want to use it to make a difference in the world.“ With this vision and her exceptional talent, Myra Maud and her band have created a show dedicated to singer and pianist Nina Simone, capturing her music and personality in all its facets. The quartet pays tribute to the unforgettable artist and breathes new life into her timeless music. Inspired by Nina Simone’s powerful message, the musicians present her repertoire in a wonderful fusion of tradition and modernity. Myra Maud and her band transform the stage into a glowing ode to this great musician – an ode to music, peace, and love.
