Little Falls Resident writes music for Nina Simone:

By Dave Warner

Little Falls has always been known for having some of the most unique and interesting people, and Stephanie Sheppard is one of them. Fifty-two years ago, she and her brother wrote six songs for the legendary Nina Simone to perform. Unfortunately, Simone died before any of them were recorded. Longtail Films, out of England, made a documentary

The Lost Album

about the lost music and found just the perfect performer to bring them to light.

In the film, superstar Emeli Sande sets out on an emotional journey to bring to life that set of songs written for Nina Simone but never performed. Forgotten for all these years, these songs are beautiful and illuminate Nina Simone’s world. They are messages from the past.

The film has never been shown in the United States. But, on March 18th at Rock City Centre at 6 pm, you’ll get to watch the movie, hear from the film’s creators in England with a prerecorded interview, and then get Stephanie’s perspective as she fills in the details about being at the center of such an important historical work.

After that, there will be wine, cheese, and live music with Oscar Stivala and his Jazz Trio. Oscar has created an 18×24 oil on canvas painting of Nina Simone to be auctioned off at the event to raise money for The Creative Outpost.

Sheppard started writing

Please See NINA Page 3