The Canadian singer was approached by French label Plus Loin Music, who had discovered her through her 2nd place win at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocals Competition. After several years of discussion, they invited her to France in November of 2009, where she spent two days in the studio. “They said I could do whatever I wanted as long as it was standards” Evans recalls. “I had always wanted to do a Nina Simone tribute. She was one of my mom’s favourites, and my husband’s, and I love her too. So I chose her and they were really gung ho.”

Evans’ love and respect for the original recordings of the music shines through, but, even in taking on some of Simone’s most iconic repertoire, the twelve tracks on the album showcase Kelly’s own versatility, creativity and innate musicality. She is reunited with guitarist Marvin Sewell (Jason Moran, Cassandra Wilson), who appeared on her first album, and joined by bassist François Moutin (Moutin Reunion Quartet, Rudresh Mahanthappa), and drummer André Ceccarelli (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Biréli Lagrène).

Then he turned pro.

Within a year of turning pro and boxing in the cruiserweight division, Evander had won his first title. He defeated Dwight Muhammad Qawi for the WBA Cruiserweight belt. After defeating Ricky Parkey and Carlos De Leon, Holyfield became the Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion. He moved up to heavyweight in 1988 and won all six of his first fights. On October 25, 1990 he knocked out the reigning Heavyweight Champion, James “Buster” Douglas and became the WBC, WBA, IBF and The Ring Heavyweight Champion. He would retain the Heavyweight crown three times. Those fights would include victories over former champions George Foreman and Larry Holmes. Holyfield’s first professional loss was to Riddick Bowe in 1992. A year later, Evander would regain the WBA and IBF titles.

Health issues forced Holyfield to semi-retire in 1994, but by November 9, 1996 he was back, with a vengeance. His eleventh round technical knockout of Mike Tyson was named not just ‘fight of the year’ by The Ring magazine, but’ upset of the year’. Evander Holyfield had won the Heavyweight Champion of the World three times – the first time since Muhammad Ali. The following year, Holyfield would defeat Mike Tyson again in what became known as “The Bite Fight” when Tyson bit off part of his ear. In 2000 he began a trilogy of fights against John Ruiz. In their first fight, a unanimous decision gave Holyfield the vacant WBA Heavyweight Championship – making him the first boxer in history to be declared the World Heavyweight Champion four times.

Today Evander Holyfield is still an active boxer. He’s ranked as the Greatest Cruiserweight of all time by The Boxing Scene. He’s on Ring Magazine’s list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time. His continued popularity has allowed him to pursue other interests. In 2005 he was on ‘Dancing with the Stars’. The Real Deal Grill cooking appliance was released in 2007. He appeared as himself in the 2011 remake of ‘Arthur’. And perhaps most important, his Holyfield Foundation supports programs for inner-city children in Atlanta.

Evander Holyfield – one of the greatest Heavyweight Champions of all time and in the world of boxing, absolutely “The Real Deal”.