August, 2026 –

I Got Life: The Live Experience – The Music of Nina Simone

Performance August 28th

Fresh off their 2026 live album release, acclaimed bassist Gerald Veasley (Jazziz poll winner) and soul powerhouse Carol Riddick bring I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone to Middle C Jazz.

Born in Tryon, North Carolina, Simone’s Carolina roots shaped a global legacy in jazz and civil rights—a heritage honored statewide every August. Riddick (Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton) and Veasley (Joe Zawinul Syndicate) reimagine her iconic catalog with fresh, expressive arrangements, celebrating a native daughter’s musical story through two of contemporary jazz and soul’s finest talents.

Gerald Veasley is recognized as an acclaimed virtuoso six-string bassist—plus bandleader, composer, producer, educator, and curator—whose performances have made their mark on the fusion of jazz, R&B, and gospel.

Over the years, Veasley has collaborated with many celebrated artists, including Kirk Whalum, Will Downing, Chuck Loeb, Maysa, McCoy Tyner, the Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendergrass, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. His broad musical reach reflects both technical mastery and a lifelong commitment to exploring new sounds.

Veasley is the curator of the Unscripted Jazz Series at SOUTH, considered a cornerstone of the Philadelphia live music scene for over 10 years. In that series, he has created more than 140 nights of music and welcomed artists such as Gerald Albright, David Benoit, Randy Brecker, Maysa, and Raul Midón.

Veasley’s 2018 album “Live at SOUTH” captures one of those live performances at SOUTH Jazz Kitchen. In the recording, he showcases lessons from his mentors Joe Zawinul and Grover Washington Jr. with a set marked by energy and spontaneity that is consistent with his full list of ten albums that have earned him recognition within the jazz and contemporary music worlds.

Education and community leadership are central to Veasley’s creative life. He has served on the faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and co-founded the Bass BootCamp, which has guided hundreds of bassists of all ages since 2002. He now leads Jazz Philadelphia, an initiative focused on strengthening the city’s jazz community and highlighting its rich history. Veasley continues to create new projects including a Nina Simone tribute and a recording that honors the musical legacy of Philadelphia.

Musician. Educator. Curator. Veasley’s life as a creative professional is clearly multifaceted. Indeed, he wears various “hats” yet he is motivated by a singular purpose: to translate his joy of music to the world—music without boundaries.

Often featured on Veasley’s Unscripted Jazz Series at SOUTH, violinist Karen Briggs has also toured with Veasley, sharing their dynamic and unique blend of jazz fusion. Karen herself is a frequent face on the Middle C Jazz stage, most recently performing with the Lao Tizer Quartet as well as Maria Howell in her “Girls in Gowns” annual extravaganza.