I have a character in a couple of my upcoming stories, Jazz. She’s a young woman in NOLA, who features herself as a voodoo maman. And she’s often threatening to put a spell on the men who she’d like to “love up.”
I’m not where Jazz bubbled up from in my consciousness, but I know her when I see her and know her voice when I hear it.
Nina Simone’s version “I Put a Spell on You” is the rawest, sexiest version I’ve ever heard..except maybe Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s version.
I heard Screamin’ Jay’s version at party in NOLA years ago. People started taking off their clothes while it played.
Give Nina a listen. What a voice…a voice like Jazz’s voice.
