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Eunice Kathleen Waymon was born in North Carolina on February 21st in 1933. Being raised in the church allowed her to hone her gifts at a young age whilst garnering recognition. This recognition led to years of classical train on the piano by an English woman Muriel Mazzanovich. After completing her secondary education Eunice continued her study of music at Julliard in New York for a year before applying to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Her family preemptively moved to the city but Eunice was denied access so she began teaching and giving lessons. After her audition for a bar and grill in New Jersey Eunice discovered she not only was an excellent pianist but a singer as well. Knowing that her mother would approve of her singing and playing secular music so in order for her not to find out she changed her name. Nina Simone was born.
Nina Caught the eye of record industry, she was a talent with both a gift in piano coupled with such a unique voice that could cross various genres. At the age of 24 Simone signed on with Syd Nathan of King Records. ” My Baby Just Cares For Me” helped to start Nina career it was featured in a Chanel perfume commercial in Europe in the 80’s and was #5 on the British charts.As Nina’s reputation as a live performer continued to rise she was invited to the Newport Jazz festivals where previous performs like Miles Davis headlined.
Bethlehem 1958
Little Girl Blue Was the debut album of Simone. It was released under Bethlehem records on February 1959. Still in her 20’s and hoping to be a classical pianist gave up her rights to the album for $3000. The album was released again by the record company in 1992 with three additional tracks and released again in 2002. ‘ I Loves You, Porgy’ was from George Gershwin’s Opera Porgy and Bess and became her only billboard top 20 hit in the US. ”
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