Meshell Ndegeocello works and reworks

Iconoclastic musician Meshell Ndegeocello takes on one of her heroes on her latest album, the lush collection “Pour Une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone.” Although the record features guest turns from the likes of Cody Chesnutt and Sinéad O’Connor, there’s no doubt that Ndegeocello will captivate with simmering and inspired reworkings of songs such as “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” and “Feeling Good.” Jazz guitar explorer James “Blood” Ulmer opens in an ensemble with fellow flamethrower Vernon Reid of Living Colour. Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Fri. $20-$45. cap.ucla.edu.