Miss Lottie’s Cafe music series kicks off the year with a special tribute to Nina Simone, the jazz icon and activist.

Simone was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music. She worked in a broad range of styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel and pop.

Her musical style arose from a fusion of gospel and pop songs with classical music, in particular with influences from her first inspiration, Johann Sebastian Bach.

Miss Lottie’s Cafe is a cabaret style seating arrangement and will open at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4 (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) in the Donald L. Oat Theater at the Norwich Arts Center. The theater is located on 60 Broadway with a special needs entrance available on Church Street (directly across from Central Baptist Church). Tickets can be purchased online at norwicharts.org/events, $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $18 for NAC members.

Simone will be portrayed by Kyndra Joi, who will be accompanied by the Miss Lottie’s Cafe House Band. Kyndra was raised in Charleston, South Carolina and grew up in New Orleans.

Kyndra is no stranger to the Donald L. Oat stage as she is one of the lead conductors/educators of the Norwich-based Girls In Jazz band that teaches middle and high school girls a love for jazz and blues. Kyndra is also a guest vocalist for the RPM Voices based in Rhode Island.