Happy Birthday, Nina Simone!
On February 21st, 1933 Eunice Kathleen Waymon was born in North Carolina. She would grow to be the talented singer, songwriter, pianist and civil rights activist known as Nina Simone. Simone began playing the piano by ear at the age of three and would record her first album, Little Girl Blue, in 1953.
Nina Simone’s career spanned almost half of a century and includes over 40 albums. Simone’s music captured a movement and provided a voice and inspiration to a nation. She was the first woman to win the Jazz Cultural Award and received an honorary degree from the Curtis Institute, who had denied her admission due to race. Nina Simone performed until her final days in April of 2003.
Some of Simone’s most famous work includes “I Love You Porgy,” “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” Simone also recorded “House of the Rising Sun” which would become a hit for The Animals. Kanye West sampled Simone’s “See-Line Woman” on “Bad News” from 808s and Heartbreak.
