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Meet The Clutch's Less Expensive Cousin
Dr. Nina Simone
Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesA straightforward, no-holds-barred artist in the world music landscape, Nina's voice became the heart and voice of her generation. But Nina's ever-increasing bitterness over America's racism eventually led to her decision to leave the United States. She moved to Europe in 1978 and built her international career slowly, achieving small successes.
BIOGRAPHY
VITAL STATS
Born:
February 21,1933
Tyron, North Carolina
Died:
April 21, 2003
Best Known For:
Singer, Composer, Civil Rights Activism
AKA: Eunice Kathleen Waymon
HOTTEST FACTOID:
As a child performing her first classical recital, Simone refused to perform until both her parents, who were moved to the back of the recital hall to make room for white guests, were re-seated in the front row.
PHOTOS OF Nina Simone
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ACCOLADES
- First woman to win the Jazz Cultural Award
- 'Woman of the Year' 1966, Jazz at Home Club
- Female Jazz Singer of the Year, 1967, National Association of Television and Radio Announcers
NOTABLE QUOTES
- "I am a real rebel with a cause."
Biography of Nina Simone
Singer, songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone, who possessed an alto voice with rich timbre, became an inspirational musical figure in the late 50's due to her distinctive interpretation of standards, blues and jazz compositions that propelled her to prominence in music.
Nina defied easy classification, and hated being pigeonholed as a jazz singer. "To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt and that's not what I play," Nina Simone said in one interview. "I play black classical music." With a deep and husky voice that growled and whispered and a musical repertoire that combined spiritual, jazz and protest songs, Nina, dubbed the “High Priestess of Soul,” is known as one of the most gifted singers, composers and pianists of her time, recording close to sixty albums during her musical career.
Read more about Nina here.
Additional Stats :
Heritage:
African American
DID YOU KNOW?
Simone composed 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black,'for her friend, Lorraine Hansberry's unfinished play of the same name. The song became a civil rights song, which has been covered by musical greats such as Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway.
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