Nina's Piano

About

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina. Mother Mary Kate was a Methodist minister. Father John was a handyman and barber. I started playing piano at three. The whole town -- Black and white -- raised money for my classical training. I applied to the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. They rejected me. I always believed it was because I was Black. That rejection defined my life. I became Nina Simone -- took the name so my mother wouldn't know I was playing 'devil's music' in Atlantic City bars. I played Bach, gospel, jazz, blues, folk, pop -- all at once. 'Mississippi Goddam' was the first civil rights song that was angry instead of hopeful. I was done asking politely. My art was my weapon. They called me difficult. I was necessary.

Skills

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