Greetings from Valencia,

Whew!!!  It's getting harder to fit blogging in the closer we get to finishing this tour.....but I am determined to see all of you through to the end with me.

Before getting into the present day, I MUST recount our Montreaux experience as it rivals July 24th 1999, the evening I first shared the stage with my mother captured on the first track of SIMONE on SIMONE (SOS).

I napped for 2 hours while there before preparing for the evening.  That preparation usually consists of putting my things together for a show:  makeup, shoes, outfit(s) - never take just one JUST IN CASE - accessories, tea, camera, and whatever else I think I might need during the course of time leading up to the evening's events.  As we walked to the venue, I was surprised by a few people who had 8 x 10 shots of me to autograph:  I was only too happy  to do so.  I'd met Al's niece, Tashi , a 10 year old who reminded me very much of my daughter and I invited her to join me in some picture taking.

Upon arriving at the venue, which was a 3 minute walk from our hotel, we were escorted to our dressing rooms and updated on our schedule  which consisted of soundcheck/show times, interview locations,  whereabouts of catering, makeup and the stage.  I marveled at names on dressing room doors:  Wyclef Jean & Grace Jones just to name a few.  Throughout the halls there was activity and a sense of excitement and constant movement.  The first thing I did was introduce myself to the makeup artists set up across the hall who were sponsored by Helena Rubenstein.  I made an appointment for one hour prior to our scheduled 8 o'clock hit with Danielle and showed her the infamous Gold Outfit I'd be wearing so she could coordinate my visage.

The show started on time and Claude Knobbs, the Festival's founder introduced us. Just prior to that he and I took pictures together and he reminisced about 1975/6 when he helped my mother put me in boarding school in Lausanne and find her house in Nyon. Never ceases to amaze me when holes of times past are filled in because I definitely had an "AHA, it was you!!"  moment.  When the show began time slowed down as a 30 year dream became reality.  Claude Knobbs films every show that takes place at Montreaux so this performance will forever line in infamy.  It felt good.  I looked good.  My voice was in good standing. The band was on point.  The Divas strutted their stuff.  And, the audience slurped up every nuance with gusto and warmth.  It was perfect.

Just when the evening couldn't get any better, I saw Qiuncy Jones stand up as I exited the stage.  I don't know how much of the show he saw, but he was sitting stage left next to the door we entered and exited and as he did so I placed my hands on his shoulders and had to restrain myself from placing him in a bear hug, such was my excitement.  OH MY GOOOOOOOD!!!!!  You all don't understand, I have prayed to someday meet and work with him.  The only time I ever spoke to him face to face was when I was a swing on B'dway with RENT in 1996. I told him how much I admired his work but I did not mention my lineage.  My father later told me that Quincy had wanted to sign Mom to Mercury when he was doing A & R there so they all knew each other;  and had I mentioned my parents perhaps my path would've been different. And, perhaps not.  At that time I didn't feel comfortable trumpeting my lineage and much preferred people to get to know ME, the person based upon my own merit.  Well, that was 13 years ago!!!!!   I reveled in THIS moment.  He asked me if I'd ever heard of Siedah Garrett - HA, but of course!!! - and said I reminded him of her.  What a compliment!  He also said "Girl, you've got something special" a couple of times.......I still glow when I think about it.  So many words came out in a jumble as the excitement of being within proximity of one of my idols on the Montreaux stage swept me off my feet.  It was a great day!!!  Oh yeah, Quincy was sitting right next to Naomi Campbell and it didn't even register until I was in my dressing room....it all happened so fast.

Upon returning to our hotel, The Montreaux Palace, I maneuverd through throngs of people enjoying the festival.  It was midnight and it felt like 42nd street on New Year's Eve.  The excitement in the air was palpable and I had an unobstructed view of everything from my balcony.  As the thumping music lulled me to sleep I had a huge smile on my face, a glow in my heart and I thanked Mommy and God for answering my prayers.


It was a good day!!

Stay well

Simone


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